This article digs into a Connecticut hotel scam investigation based in Waterbury. Authorities are searching for a 53-year-old man connected to a string of fraudulent bookings and impersonation.
By pretending to be a business owner, the suspect allegedly reserved large blocks of rooms for long stays. Hotels lost significant amounts of money, which sparked a county-wide manhunt and a warrant.
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What happened and who is implicated
Waterbury police are searching for Eddie Kennedy, 53, on charges of first-degree larceny and criminal impersonation. Investigators allege he used a business-owner persona to book big blocks of rooms at several hotels in the area.
These bookings left hotels facing financial losses when guests didn’t show up or checked out early. The situation made front-desk operations and staff schedules a mess.
Police say Kennedy is tied to incidents in Southington, Waterbury, and Southbury. The activity happened over recent weeks.
There’s a $100,000 warrant out for his arrest, which shows how seriously police are taking the case. They’re urging the public to help and warning that his actions are a deliberate attempt to trick hotel staff and steal lodging revenue.
Detectives are still working the case, trying to spot patterns and find more victims or affected hotels.
The charges and the suspect’s profile
Officials say Kennedy, in his early fifties, posed as a business owner to get extended-room reservations. He faces charges of first-degree larceny and criminal impersonation, which reflect the scope and intent of the alleged scam.
With a $100,000 warrant out, police call this a high-priority case that stretches across multiple Connecticut towns.
Impact on Connecticut hotels and the hospitality sector
This scam exposes how vulnerable hotels are to impersonation and fake bulk bookings. It disrupts operations, stresses out staff, and can shake guest trust.
Hotels—from boutique inns to large chains—could take a revenue hit and may need to tighten up their reservation and verification processes.
- Front-desk operations get disrupted when someone books large blocks with bad intentions.
- Financial losses can mess with revenue, staff schedules, and the ability to serve real guests.
- Hotels may need to add more steps to verify corporate or extended-stay bookings, which could slow down check-in.
- There’s more focus on security protocols, like checking IDs and verifying booking sources, across Connecticut.
Hotels in cities like Danbury, Bridgeport, and Hartford have reported being more alert about booking fraud. Industry groups and police in New Haven, Norwalk, Stamford, and even smaller towns like Greenwich and Cheshire are working together to protect guests and hotel revenue.
Timeline and current status
Police say Kennedy was last seen at the Wyndham Hotel in Southbury on March 5. That detail links him to the ongoing investigation in the region.
The Waterbury Police Department has posted his photo and info on social media, asking anyone with tips to reach out. They say public information could be key to finding him and wrapping up the case.
Prosecution, tips, and how to help
If you know anything about Eddie Kennedy, call the Waterbury Police Department at 203-574-6941. You can also contact your local police or use anonymous tip lines.
All tips are confidential and could help investigators gather more evidence or find other affected hotels.
Connecticut towns touched by this case
- Waterbury
- Southington
- Southbury
- Danbury
- Bridgeport
- Hartford
- New Haven
- Norwalk
- Stamford
- Greenwich
- Cheshire
- Bristol
- Middletown
- Milford
Keep an eye on updates out of Waterbury and other towns on this list. Detectives are chasing new leads, and some hotels are scrambling to rethink their booking rules.
Honestly, this whole thing just highlights how much travelers and hotels need to double-check things—especially for longer stays. Connecticut’s hotels are busy, and you never know what might slip through the cracks.
The case is still open. If you spot Kennedy or know something, authorities want to hear from you right away.
Here is the source article for this story: Man wanted in Waterbury for scamming Connecticut hotels, police say
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