Two Connecticut men as well as a Florida man were arrested in a multi-state theft ring and one of the suspects is a UPS driver.
Police said the men stole the identities of more than 100 West Hartford residents, along with residents of New Jersey and Florida, to buy iPhones and sell them overseas, where they’re worth more money.
Police have arrested David Bagot, a 52-year-old UPS driver from Hartford; Ramone Sooman, 27, of West Hartford; and Andre Duffus, 26, of Plantation, Florida.
West Hartford Police said 216 iPhones were missing and believed stolen and 122 of them were shipped to West Hartford. They are worth nearly $178,000 combined.
Bagot reported that some of the packages were delivered when they were not and other phone were stolen by people following the UPS truck, according to police.
“Our local security group worked closely with local law enforcement to investigate the driver in question. He has been terminated for dishonesty," Dan McMackin, UPS spokesperson, said.
The victims all lived in the center of town, on Farmington Avenue, Trout Brook Drive, Asylum Avenue or Prospect Street, according to police.
Local
Authorities believe the ring originated in Florida.
According to authorities, the cell phones were purchased through one major carrier, though police won’t identify which one, saying it could compromise the investigation.
West Hartford police said they were initially notified by that carrier and worked with UPS to nab one of the suspects in the case.
“We set up a surveillance and we did watch the UPS driver truck pull up and then pull away. Shortly thereafter he made a stop with a civilian vehicle and a transaction was made at the civilian vehicle. We stopped them and determined a crime had occurred," said Lt. Eric Rocheleau, of the West Hartford Police Department.
Fifty-two-year-old UPS driver David Bagot of Hartford was arrested and charged with larceny and conspiracy to commit identity theft. Twenty-seven-year-old Ramone Sooman of West Hartford was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit larceny and conspiracy to commit identity theft. Twenty-six-year-old Andrew Duffus of Plantation, Florida was arrested and charged with larceny and conspiracy to commit identity theft.
Rocheleau said there are still cell phones out there and more arrests are expected, including in Connecticut.
Police suggest that if you live in the central part of West Hartford that you monitor your credit report to make sure a cell phone account wasn't opened up in your name.
