Fairfield package thefts tied to thermostat rebate scheme
On March 4, police got a complaint that individuals were removing packages from residential properties.
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Two men were arrested in early March after police investigated package thefts in the area of James Street and Pratt Street.
On March 4, police got a complaint that individuals were removing packages from residential properties.
A suspect vehicle was later located, and the occupants were identified as 24-year-old Teon Thomas of Rochester, New York, and 23-year-old Dawud Gause-Seignious of Wyandanch, New York, according to police.
Investigators determined the suspects used fictitious names to order energy-efficient thermostats through a rebate program and had them delivered to Fairfield addresses before retrieving the packages without homeowners’ permission. Seven packages containing 14 Google Nest thermostats valued at approximately $3,900 were recovered.
Thomas was charged with larceny in the third degree, conspiracy to commit larceny in the third degree, criminal impersonation, and criminal trespass in the third degree. Gause-Seignious was charged with larceny in the third degree and conspiracy to commit larceny in the third degree. Both were released on a promise to appear.
Police cautioned people that if anyone receives a package that was not ordered and does not belong to anyone in their household, they should mark it return to sender or contact the delivery carrier to have it retrieved.
