Liridon Gashi, Target Store Break-in, Rhode Island 2017

A brazen break-in at a Target store in Smithfield, R.I., has resulted in a prison sentence for one of the perpetrators. Liridon Gashi, 33, of Bronx, NY, was sentenced to time served and 3 years supervised release for his role in the October 2017 break-in.

According to court documents, Gashi and his co-defendant, Epirot Krasniqi, cut through the roof of the Target store and forced open an ATM, stealing $14,720. The two men then cut through the wall of a CVS Pharmacy inside the store and stole a controlled substance.

Smithfield police officers responded to a report of an electronic burglary alarm and began searching the premises. After discovering the hole in the roof, officers searched approximately 30 air conditioning units located on the roof and found the two men hiding inside separate units.

Gashi pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit larceny from a financial institution, bank larceny, conspiracy to commit burglary involving controlled substances, and burglary involving controlled substances. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $6,500 for damage to the ATM.

Gashi remains detained on unrelated charges brought by law enforcement in Pennsylvania.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ly T. Chin, and the matter was investigated by the Smithfield Police Department with the assistance of the FBI Rhode Island Safe Streets Task Force.

The sentences are announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Smithfield Police Chief Richard P. St. Sauveur, Jr., and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/pr/target-store-break-defendants-sentenced