While working in Victorinox Swiss Army's mail room, Eric Briggs, 26, allegedly held envelops for Gilberto Nieves, 38, a product repair manager at the company, until Nieves was ready to pick them up, even though Briggs knew Nieves was stealing watches, according to police.
Briggs of Indian Avenue in Bridgeport turned himself in on a warrant Oct. 5 for conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny. He was released on $1,000 bond for an Oct. 16 court date.
This was the fourth arrest in the thefts of over $1 million worth of watches from Victorinox Swiss Army. The Monroe Police Department received some assistance from the FBI in a lengthy investigation that led all the way to Texas.
Mark Bancroft, 50, who owned Village Billiards, a pool hall at 588 Success Avenue in Stratford, allegedly bought stolen watches from Nieves, also of Stratford, in bulk and sold them. Both men have been already been arrested and charged.
Linda Thanassi, 51, of Shelton, a former executive assistant with Victorinox Swiss Army, was arrested for allegedly mailing stolen watches out of state, mostly to Texas. Police said she acted alone.
