3 Suspects Arrested In 'Viral' Oxford Shoplifting Case

OXFORD, CT — Three suspects were arrested on warrants Thursday in connection with what Connecticut State Police called the viral shoplifting incident last month at the Market 32 supermarket in Oxford.

New Haven residents James H. Hill, 44, of Crofton Street, Nasif A. Muhammad, 51, and Brandy J. Quadrato, 36, both of Springside Avenue, were each charged with the following:

• Fourth-degree larceny
• Conspiracy to commit fourth-degree larceny

The Nov. 9 incident drew national attention because a witness filmed it and posted the video on social media. Click here to view the clip, which was re-posted by the Valley Independent Sentinel on YouTube.

Within days, state police announced detectives had "tentatively identified" a couple of the suspects, which led to Thursday's arrests.

"As a result of the diligent investigative efforts of personnel from the Oxford Resident Trooper's Office, in addition to the information sharing and cooperative efforts from our local law enforcement partners, three suspects have been identified from the now viral larceny that occurred at the Market 32 Supermarket in Oxford on the morning of 11/09/21," state police said in a release.

The investigation remains active. Early reports indicated a fourth suspect also was involved, but state police have not released her identity. From the warrants, she is described as Black, and was wearing "blue jeans, dark hooded sweatshirt, and tan puffer vest" at the time.

The heist occurred at about 6:40 a.m. on the 9th at the Quarry Walk Plaza on Oxford Road, with the suspects throwing more than $1,600 worth of laundry detergent and paper products and other items into two waiting vehicles before speeding off.

No one called 911 as the incident was unfolding, according to authorities.

According to the warrants, state police received several tips on the identities of the suspects from people who recognized them from the viral video.

Additionally, state police said the suspects also tried to sell the items, and at least one of the prospective customers provided texts along those lines from Hill.

State police did not disclose details on how the arrests played out, but Hill posted bond on his $50,000 bail and is free until he is scheduled to appear in Derby Superior Court on Monday. State police said he has an extensive criminal record.

Muhammad and Quadrato, who live together, were being held at Department of Corrections facilities on unrelated charges, and were unable to post bonds on their respective $50,000 bails. They are scheduled to be arraigned in Derby court this week.