Waterbury Man Arrested Following Organized Retail Theft Investigation

Have you heard the rumor that shoplifting got so bad in Waterbury at the Brass Mill Center and surrounding stores that a special task force was brought in to stop the illegal activity? Well, it's true, and the Connecticut State Police and Waterbury Police Departments have just announced another arrest.

According to cspnews.org, at 1PM on Tuesday, 9-17-24, Detectives from the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Special Investigations and the Waterbury Police Department raided a business located at 76 Hill Street in Waterbury after a months-long investigation uncovered allegations that stolen merchandise from local retail establishments was available for purchase at the location.

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A search & seizure warrant was executed, and detectives were able to seize over $7,000 in merchandise that had been stolen from retailers in the area. Detectives were able to identify the stolen items with the help of loss prevention personnel who were brought to the scene.

My wife worked at Ulta Beauty in the Brass Mill Commons Shopping Center for three years and encountered multiple shoplifting attempts basically every day. The most common thefts were high-end fragrance, or expensive skincare, some thieves were brazen enough to walk down the fragrance aisle with their arms extended to sweep $120 dollars of Chanel into a shopping bag and bolt out the door.

Ismael De Jesus Payano, 41, of Waterbury was arrested and taken into custody. Payano has been charged with Larceny 3rd Degree, and Organized Retail Theft, was released after posting a $50,000 bond, and is scheduled to appear at Waterbury Superior Court on 10/8/24.