Full Breakdown
New York Residents Arrested After Fraudulent Credit Card Attempt at South Windsor Costco
7/2/2026, 3:58:44 PM
Incident Overview
On Sunday at approximately 3 p.m., South Windsor Police Department (SWPD) officers responded to reports of two individuals attempting to pay for merchandise at the self-checkout of Costco, 1220 Tamarack Avenue, using fraudulent credit cards. The suspects were identified as 35-year-old Brittany A. Howard of the Bronx and 34-year-old Kasheem M. Williams of Brooklyn. Both were taken into custody at the store.
Background and Prior Attempt
Store employees alerted police that the same pair had previously tried a similar scheme at a Costco in Enfield, Connecticut, located about 30 minutes north of South Windsor. The earlier incident prompted the department to monitor the suspects closely, leading to the swift response on Sunday.
Suspects and Legal Status
Howard and Williams each carried active out-of-state warrants. Howard’s warrant, issued by Hudson County, New Jersey, relates to credit-card theft. Williams faces an extraditable warrant from Suffolk County, New York, for burglary, strangulation and assault. Both suspects were held on $250,000 surety bonds pending a court appearance.
Charges and Evidence
SWPD charged the pair with second-degree larceny, 28 counts of payment-card theft, third-degree identity theft, and conspiracy to commit third-degree identity theft. A search of their vehicle uncovered 28 stolen financial documents, each bearing a different name, along with items believed to have been taken from the Enfield Costco.
Official Police Statements
South Windsor police confirmed that the suspects attempted the fraudulent transaction at the self-checkout and that store staff warnings were instrumental in the arrest. The department emphasized that the charges reflect both the theft of merchandise and the broader scheme involving stolen financial documents.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Officers responded to Costco (1220 Tamarack Ave) for reports of two shoplifters actively stealing from the store and attempting to pay at the self-checkout with fraudulent credit cards,” — South Windsor Police Department
- “Employees were notified that these two suspects, later identified as Howard and Williams, had just attempted the same thing at Costco in Enfield,” — Lt. Mark Cleverdon, South Windsor Police
- “Officers arrived on scene and both parties were taken into custody.” — South Windsor Police
- “Both suspects now face additional charges, including 28 counts of payment card theft, larceny, identity theft and conspiracy.” — South Windsor Police
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
The defendants are scheduled to appear before Manchester Superior Court on Monday morning. Their bond conditions and pending charges will be addressed at that hearing.
Data & Statistics
- 28 stolen financial documents recovered
- 28 counts of payment-card theft filed
- $250,000 surety bond per suspect
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All three sources—New York Post, WFSB, and Tippah News—present a consistent account of the incident, charges, and legal status. No discrepancies or missing information were identified.
Why It Matters
The arrests illustrate coordinated action between local law enforcement and out-of-state jurisdictions, highlighting the role of store employee alerts in preventing fraudulent credit-card schemes.
