Career Criminals Charged in Greenwich Shoplifting

Retailers on Greenwich Avenue on Monday were once again the target of shoplifters, an ongoing problem for the street filled with high-end stores and boutiques. 

“We’ve had numerous career criminals come through Greenwich over the years, and they will steal anything and everything they can get away with,” said Lt. Kraig Gray, spokesman for the Greenwich Police Department. “It’s supply and demand. Most things that are in high demand are of high value and certainly also portable, so shoplifting at high-end stores is a common occurrence.”

Three people were seen acting suspiciously Monday in Brooks Brothers and Victoria’s Secret on Greenwich Avenue, bringing several officers to the area.

Marie Fay Watson, 45, of 3408 Bruner Ave., the Bronx, N.Y., and Bridget Walters, 33, of 753 E. 225th St., the Bronx, were found in ZARA while Cartous Watson, 43, of 2380 Bruner Ave., the Bronx, was found walking away from the store. All were found with items from various retailers. Watson was also in possession of an allegedly forged Georgia driver’s license.

“Some of the property recovered were from stores in Stamford as well as Greenwich,” said Gray. “This was not an inexperienced larcenist crew.” According to Gray, all three have criminal histories, and Walters, in particular, has an extensive criminal past.

Gray said the women were wearing large winter coats that had been cut to conceal stolen items.

They were all arrested on charges of shoplifting larceny and possession of stolen items. Watson was additionally charged with forgery. Watson was released on $1,000 bond. Watson and Walters were not able to post bond because they were wanted by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. All three are due in court April 25.

Gray said detectives were in contact with security personnel at stores, often through the Chamber of Commerce, and the department periodically holds seminars on preventing shoplifting. ”It’s not just the merchant that suffers when shoplifting occurs,” said Gray. “Most people that shop end up paying the cost of the crime through increased cost for merchandise and security.”

Are Greenwich Avenue shops targeted by shoplifters? Have you ever seen shoplifting occur?

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