Ukrainian “criminal pioneer” sentenced to 18 years for US cybercrimes - worldwide dealer & leader of stolen credit card info  A Ukrainian national referred to by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) as “one of the world’s most prolific cybercriminals” and by prosecutors as a “criminal pioneer” was sentenced by a US federal court Thursday to 18 years in prison in connection with his role in co-founding a website that operated as a marketplace for stolen financial data, hacking, and money laundering. According to a DOJ press release, defendant Roman Vega pleaded guilty in 2009 to conspiracies to commit money laundering and access device fraud. "Vega helped create one of the largest and most sophisticated credit card fraud sites in the cybercrime underworld – a distinction that has earned him the substantial sentence he received today.” (Source rapsinews.com)

ORC trio steals thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from Palais Royal stores in Houston  The company’s loss prevention department said the suspects first stole $1,002 worth of merchandise from the store in the 10900 block of Westheimer. They then traveled to the West Oaks Mall location and stole another $1000 worth of merchandise. In all, they stole one pair of boots, 20 clothing sets, 18 shirts, two fragrance sets and four jackets from the stores. Loss prevention compared footage from both stores and said the suspects were the same. They also said it appears they always work in groups. Dale Franklin, Mary McClendon and Diane Austin were charged with organized retail theft. (Source khou.com)

Seven Super Target Employees arrested for alleged theft ring in Hesperia, CA
Seven employees of SuperTarget were arrested at work following an internal investigation into the ongoing theft of several thousands of dollars worth of merchandise. The investigation began in October when Asset Protection staff at SuperTarget “discovered a multiemployee theft conspiracy while conducting an investigation on an unrelated incident," the release said.  (Source vvdailypress.com)

Oswego, IL Police investigating a report of over $700 worth of baby formula stolen