Florence, S.C. Police arrest 10 in ORC shoplifting ring  Florence Police have arrested several people in what they're calling a shoplifting ring that cost several area stores about $30,000 in total losses over the past two years. Florence Police Maj. Carlos Raines said authorities became aware of the multiple shoplifting cases after tying together a series of events and thefts. Raines said some members of the group would steal items from big box retailers, then have other members of the group return the items in exchange for gift cards. He said that others in the shoplifting ring would then sell those gift cards to two Florence pawn shops for half of their value. Raines said that prescription drug addiction was the motive for at least some members of the group in the shoplifting cases. Florence Police say the investigation into the shoplifting ring continues and say that more arrests are possible. (Source wbtv.news.com)

4 1/2 years for woman who stole $675,000 worth of returned merchandise
A woman who “fattened her own piggy bank” by stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars of returned merchandise at an office supply store was sentenced today to four and a half years in prison, DuPage County prosecutors said. Brenda Robinson, 48, of Chicago, may have diverted more than $675,000 worth of merchandise over a five-year period before she was arrested last year, officials said. (Source chicagotribune.com)

Two Cuban nationals busted in Beachwood, Ohio, using fake credit cards to purchase thousands from area malls  Alexy Aguilera, 33, of Doral, Fla., and Anders Jose Garcia Borrero, 33, of Miami, entered no plea through a Spanish interpreter at their initial appearance Tuesday in Shaker Heights Municipal Court. They were both charged with one count of fifth-degree felony forgery. Bonnero, records say, has been charged with similar crimes in Florida, including for having someone else's identification, credit card fraud and credit card forgery. The case is complicated and suspect the duo made at least $1,000 in fraudulent purchases at the Beachwood mall from the Sunglass Hut and Sephora. Winebrenner said he suspects the duo made thousands more dollars in purchases from areas all over Northeast Ohio and elsewhere. Winebrenner said after they purchased the items, the duo planned to ship them to someone. (Source cleveland.com)

Fencing operation - retail store - busted in D.C.
Stolen cell phones, laptops, cameras and credit cards - more than 500 items in all - were recovered from a D.C. store. And David Brown, 49, of Capitol Heights, is charged with trafficking stolen goods. Police say Brown was paying criminals for the items they stole. Thus far we've linked about 50 of those items to about 24 specific crimes that include robbery burglary and theft of auto. Brown owned a store where he sold the stolen goods, police say. He was charged in December 2011 with the same crime. (Source wtop.com)

Two busted hitting Lowes for over $7,000 in plumbing equipment in Wyandotte, Mi.  Southgate police arrested two Detroit men suspected of a retail fraud at Lowe’s. One suspect was able to leave with about $3,900 worth of items. The other suspect was unable to take about $3,500 worth of items because an employee blocked his cart, which tipped over. The vehicle they were busted in also was suspected in an armed robbery at the Lowe’s in Ypsilanti. (Source thenewsherald.com)

Two suspects arrested after Wal-Mart shoplifting with multiple warrants outstanding on both in Milford, Del.  Two suspects, a 22-year-old Newark woman and a 21-year-old Chesapeake City, Md. man, were arrested by the Milford Police Department on Sept. 30 for shoplifting and fleeing police. Investigation revealed that Juditzki and Feaster removed merchandise from store shelves, concealed the merchandise in bags and fled the store, Young said. Juditzki and Feaster were both charged with possession of shoplifter tools, third-degree conspiracy, shoplifting under $1,500, resisting arrest and third-degree criminal trespassing. Juditzki also faces traffic charges. Both Juditzki and Feaster were also wanted on multiple warrants out of various New Castle County courts. (Source milfrodbeacon.com)

Serial shoplifter busted hitting South Jersey stores - Shoprite and Acme stores in Cape May and Atlantic Counties  A Tuckerton man was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 10 for an alleged series of thefts from stores across South Jersey, Egg Harbor Township Police stated. According to police, a loss prevention specialist from ShopRite filed a complaint with Officer Michael Finnerty on Aug. 27, claiming that an individual shoplifted a television from the store. The specialist also informed police that an unknown white male with tattoos on his right arm had been committing similar thefts from numerous ShopRite and Acme stores in Cape May and Atlantic Counties. After Hayek was arrested in Pennsylvania, he was transported back to New Jersey by Det. Robert Harte, after waiving extradition on Monday, Sept. 30. Hayek was lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility on several shoplifting warrants out of Egg Harbor Township, Hammonton, Sea Isle City and Lower Township with a total bail set at $57,500. He also had an additional warrant for $600 out of Cherry Hill Township. (Source shorenewstoday.com)



Silver Spring Township Police seek 2 suspects in Walmart thefts  Silver Spring Township Police said the incident occurred at Walmart in Mechanicsburg, at 5 p.m. Two male suspects exited the store with several hundred dollars in unpaid items. Both men got into a car together and fled the area. (Source abc27.com)



Bass Pro Shops in Harlingen arrest 2 shoplifters with criminal tools 
Police arrested two suspects after a tip from a customer at Bass Pro Shops just before 1:30 p.m. Sunday. According to Harlingen police, the officer recognized the vehicle, driven by a suspect from a recent burglary at the shop. As police were speaking to the first suspect, a female suspect exited the store. The female noticed the officers, stopped and immediately began walking the other way. The female suspect emptied her purse in the back of a truck with almost $250 worth of merchandise from Bass Pro Shop and a pair of wire cutters she allegedly used to take the merchandise. Both were arrested, the female has prior thefts in Washington state. (Source valleycentral.com)

Finish Line Employee steals 200 pairs of Nike’s
Roberto Rivera, 20, of Oak Forest, was charged with retail theft Sept. 12 after stealing 200 pairs of Nikes valued at $1,000 over several months while employed at Finish Line at Orland Square Mall, police said. They said Rivera sold the shoes back to customers at a discounted price. (Source suntimes.com)

Marietta police link two suspects to possibly 16 smash and grabs at Beauty Stores in Georgia  With the average beauty store smash and grab netting $60,000 in stolen merchandise, police in Georgia worked to identify at least two kingpin suspects. Joe Ford and Eddie Howard became the focus in possibly 16 hair extension smash and grabs, Ford was arrested this past Friday while Howard is still on the loose. Police believe Ford and Howard are part of an organized ring, both suspects will face racketeering, burglary and theft charges. (Source ajc.com)