Man sentenced to two years in prison for role in ‘distraction thefts’ at Trader Joe’s, other CT stores

A Peruvian national has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in a series of “distraction thefts” at Trader Joe’s grocery stores as well as other stores in Connecticut and other parts of the country.Angel Eugenio Bances Chaponan, 60, a Peruvian citizen last residing in Queens, New York, faced sentencing Tuesday in federal court in Bridgeport, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.The sentencing came after he pleaded guilty in June to aggravated identity theft.Federal officials said Bances Chaponan and others were identified when the FBI and local law enforcement agencies in Connecticut and elsewhere investigated a series of what have been described as distraction thefts of wallets from victims at Trader Joe’s grocery stores and other retail stores. The thieves typically targeted elderly women, officials said.According to authorities, Bances Chaponan and others rented vehicles using a fraudulent passport and traveled the country, stealing wallets from “unwary victims,” and used the stolen credit and debit cards to buy electronic devices and other items.The thieves would stop at shipping providers along their route to ship the goods they purchased to a co-conspirator’s address in New Jersey, officials said.According to authorities, Bances Chaponan was implicated in thefts from 10 victims in Connecticut, Rhode Island, North Carolina and Tennessee, and the purchase of more than $46,000 in goods using the victims’ credit or debit cards.He was arrested on March 13 shortly after he used a stolen credit card to purchase a MacBook for approximately $2,850 and an iPad Pro for about $1,050.Bances Chaponan has been detained since his arrest. Federal officials noted that he faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

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