Waterbury Men Charged with Committing Violent Crimes Culminating in Shooting of Waterbury Detective in February

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Maureen T. Platt, State’s Attorney for the Waterbury Judicial District; P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport has returned a seven-count indictment charging ARIAN PEREZ-FELICIANO, also known as “A,” 21, ALBERTO RODRIGUEZ, also known as “NeNe,” 19, and SYDNEY REID, also known as “Syd,” 18, all of Waterbury, with offenses related to their roles in a robbery, a carjacking and attempted carjacking, and the shooting of a Waterbury Police detective earlier this year.

The indictment was returned on August 7, 2025, and the three defendants have been detained since their arrests on related state charges on February 13, 2025.

As alleged in the indictment, Perez-Feliciano, Rodriguez, and Reid conspired to steal firearms and marijuana, and to commit carjackings using stolen vehicles.  On January 13, 2025, Rodriguez and Reid, each of whom pointed a firearm at a victim’s face, stole a 12-gauge shotgun, narcotics, cash, and other items from the victims.  On February 13, 2025, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Perez-Feliciano, Rodriguez, and Reid attempted to commit an armed carjacking on Waterville Street in Waterbury.  A short time later, they committed an armed carjacking on Chase Avenue in Waterbury.  As they fled from police, Perez-Feliciano opened fire on a pursuing Waterbury Police detective in an attempt to kill the officer, striking him in the thigh.

The indictment charges Perez-Feliciano, Rodriguez, and Reid with conspiracy; conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery; interference with commerce by robbery; carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; attempted carjacking; carjacking; and carrying, using, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  If convicted of all of the charged offenses, each defendant faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 17 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Waterbury Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Don E. Therkildesen, Jr., who is cross designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in this matter.