Waterbury Man Sought in Hotel Fraud Scheme That Hit Multiple Connecticut Towns

Waterbury Man Wanted on $100,000 Warrant in Hotel Fraud Spanning Three Connecticut Towns

Waterbury police are asking the public for help locating a 53-year-old man suspected of defrauding hotels in multiple Connecticut communities by posing as a business owner and securing large blocks of hotel rooms without paying.

Eddie Kennedy, of Waterbury, is wanted on a $100,000 arrest warrant on charges of first-degree larceny and criminal impersonation. An additional active arrest warrant for similar charges has been issued by Southington police, according to the Waterbury Police Department. Kennedy was last seen on March 5, 2026, at the Wyndham Hotel in Southbury.

Waterbury police issued a public appeal for information on March 11, 2026.

The Alleged Scheme

According to the Waterbury Police Department and reporting by NBC Connecticut and the Hartford Courant, Kennedy allegedly targeted hotels by presenting himself as a business owner with a need for extended stays or large room blocks. The scam allowed him to book and occupy rooms for extended periods without paying, leaving hotels with substantial losses.

The Waterbury Marriott was defrauded of approximately $111,000 in the scheme, according to police. The financial loss represents one of the larger individual cases of hotel fraud documented in recent Connecticut law enforcement reporting.

In addition to the Waterbury Marriott loss, Kennedy is connected to incidents in Southington and Southbury. Southington police issued a separate arrest warrant for Kennedy on related charges. The hotel targeted in Southington has not been publicly named by police.

Charges and Warrants

First-degree larceny in Connecticut covers theft of property or services valued at more than $20,000. It is a Class B felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Kennedy faces this charge in both Waterbury and Southington.

Criminal impersonation involves falsely representing oneself as another person or as having a qualification, status, or authority that the person does not have — in this case, posing as a legitimate business owner to deceive hotel operators.

The $100,000 bail amount reflects the seriousness of the charges and Kennedy's fugitive status. Police have not indicated whether Kennedy has prior arrests on similar charges.

What Police Are Asking

The Waterbury Police Department is urging anyone with information about Kennedy's current whereabouts to come forward. Kennedy was last observed at the Wyndham Hotel in Southbury on March 5, 2026, approximately six days before the public appeal was issued.

Waterbury police can be reached at (203) 574-6941. Those with information about Kennedy are asked to contact the department directly.

No arrests have been made as of publication. The investigation is active and involves coordination between the Waterbury Police Department and Southington police.

Hotel Fraud in Connecticut

Hotel fraud involving impersonation of business clients is not unique to this case. Law enforcement agencies have documented similar schemes in which individuals exploit the trust extended to commercial accounts — often designed to allow seamless check-in for business travelers — to occupy rooms without payment.

In cases involving first-degree larceny, the Connecticut judicial system generally requires substantial bail because suspects who have already absconded once — as Kennedy has done — present a flight risk. Hotel operators facing significant losses from such schemes are typically reliant on police warrants and public appeals to help identify and locate suspects.

Police have not released a photograph of Kennedy or information about his physical description as of publication. Individuals who encounter him are asked to contact authorities rather than confront him directly.

Got a tip? Reach out to us at tips@thequinnipiacpost.com.