Two female suspects hitting stores from Columbia to Nixa, MO. for shoplifting - gift card fraud  The Osage Beach Police Department is requesting the public's assistance in identifying women involved in an alleged shoplifting and gift card fraud scheme. The younger of the two women went directly to the service counter advising the clerk that she had purchased gift certificates at another store but had lost them. She produced a receipt in an attempt to convince the clerk to provide her with replacement certificates. The transactions for both suspects were denied. The older female placed the items back in the shopping cart and left the store with the items. Both women left the area in a silver Jeep Liberty SUV. It is believed that these women have been involved in this type of criminal activity from Columbia to Nixa. Receiving, in essence, stolen gift cards from redeeming stolen merchandise the gift cards are sold for less than their value to unsuspecting victims. The suspects go to a Walmart or other chain store and claim that the cards have been either lost or stolen at which time they may receive replacement gift cards. The people who then purchase the cards from the suspects are unable to redeem the cards and become fraud victims also. (Source lakenewsonline.com)

Cadillac, MI., woman sentenced to 300 days in jail for ORC role with husband
Bates allegedly helped her husband, Harold James Bates, 37, as he enlisted people to shoplift items from local stores. The Bates allegedly allowed individuals to live in their home in exchange for bringing them stolen merchandise to sell through online sites such as Craigslist, according to Wexford County Prosecuting Attorney Tony Badovinac. (Source cadillacnews.com)

Cops bust female ORC thief selling stolen merchandise online in Gresham, Ore., hitting Safeway stores  Gresham police arrested a woman accused of stealing small, high-priced items valued at thousands of dollars from Safeway stores all over the area, then sold them online through “an organized fencing operation she created,” said Detective John Rasmussen, public information officer for the Gresham Police Department. The three-month investigation into Hudson's activities showed her utilizing social media sites similar to craigslist and eBay to conduct her scheme and sell the stolen items,” according to a press release from Gresham police. “Investigators have identified Hudson as the suspect in dozens of thefts from local Safeway stores across the Portland metropolitan area, from Gresham to Beaverton.” (Source portlandtribune.com)

ORC gang of four busted hitting St. Louis retailers
City police stopped four alleged fleeing shoplifters from St. Louis on Sunday who indicated they return stolen items to stores and receive gift cards in exchange. An Alton police report says the three men and one woman had three cards and return receipts from big-box hardware stores, in addition to the pair of men’s 501 Levis that one of the men allegedly stole from the Alton Kohl’s. (Source thetelgraph.com)

North Carolina Authorities put brakes on big rig theft ring in Franklin County  Nearly a million dollars of equipment was seized in Franklin County. Franklin County Sheriff Jerry Jones says two men are responsible for an eight county commercial chop shop crime spree, which spanned three states. Rodger Nipper and Sonny Marks are charged with stealing tires, engines, tanks, and even 18-wheeler trucks. The sheriff says this is the largest commercial cop shop he has ever seen. The items stolen are worth a lot of money. (Source abclocal.go.com)


Mystery Washington convenience store clerk steals $10,000 in merchandise and cash, then vanishing  An AM/PM convenience store manager in the Seattle suburb of Renton says she's in shock after store surveillance cameras recorded a previously helpful employee stealing about $10,000 worth of cash and merchandise during his last few solo shifts, then vanishing. Lane says the employee "just took everything he could," finally bringing in a duffel bag during his last shift. He showed up three months ago, saying he was from Ohio. Workers say he taped an "out of order" sign on a credit card reader so customers would pay in cash. Video even shows him giving away store candy. (Source therepublic.com)

UK gang stole $1 Million of parts from Nissan to sell on eBay  Using inside men at the Washington car manufacturer, the gang stole expensive car parts them sold them on eBay for a fraction of their value. (Source thejournal.co.uk)