The 'Awwad Criminal Enterprise' - The Middle East Connection to ORC - Twenty-six indicted in stolen equipment & fencing ring in Toledo, OH  Twenty-six people, most of whom are Toledo residents, have been indicted in U.S. District Court for roles in a stolen-equipment ring that shipped goods to Michigan and the Middle East, the U.S. Department of Justice said today. The items were fenced at stores in Toledo and resold elsewhere. They included stolen computers, smart phones, and other electronics. Officials said some members of the conspiracy used guns, threats, or violence as part of their work. Allegations also included illegal check cashing and selling counterfeit clothing at stores. The announcement today at a news conference comes after authorities earlier conducted a series of raids at businesses and homes across the city. In one instance, FBI agents raided an apartment building in the 800 block of South Avenue near Broadway in South Toledo. Agents wearing FBI jackets were seen carrying boxes in their hands from the structure to a vehicle nearby about 7:45 a.m. Two people were taken into custody. The United States Department of Justice says the accused sold stolen computers, smart phones and other electronics in Toledo, Michigan and the Middle East. Some in the group are also accused of illegally cashing millions of dollars worth of checks in their stores, laundering money and selling counterfeit clothing. Editor's Note: This investigation was led by Kroger's ORC team and the investigation is ongoing. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes public as it will extend for some time. toledoblade.com toledonewsnow.com

Russian citizen Alexey Svetlichny pleads guilty in Fed. court to $400K online fraud stealing consumer goods and stored value cards - using stolen credit & debit cards - faces 20 yrs  Svetlichnyy and other accomplices allegedly used the stolen information for online purchases of Apple iPads, Samsung cell phones, various kinds of laptop computers, scuba diving equipment, as well as stored value cards issued by or on behalf of American Express, Visa, Budget Rental Car, Frontier Airlines, Macy's, and other retailers, according to the charging document. sputniknews.com

ORC male busted hitting JC Penney at International Mall for $2,500 in jeans - operating since 2013  James Francisco Castro, 36, was arrested Feb. 27 after wiping the shelves clean. On police radar since 2013 his MO was always the same. Entered the store take stacks of Levi's and walked out of the store. Sometimes jumping into a getaway car and sometimes on his bicycle.  miamiherald.com

Calgary, Canada couple busted for $8K Toys R Us theft at Crosslron Mall this past December - hit other Calgary Mall as well  The male suspect is also facing robbery and weapons charges in connection with a violent shoplifting incident last August at the Heritage Meadows Superstore. cbc.ca

Macy's employee stole $93K in jewelry from Charlotte store over course of a year, pawned items for cash  A Macy's employee at the SouthPark mall store stole jewelry over the course of a year worth nearly $93,000, then pawned the items for cash, the store told police this week. Macy's reported the theft to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on Sunday, a CMPD incident report shows. CMPD's financial crimes unit has a person of interest in the case, spokeswoman Officer Jessica Wallin said. No charges have been filed yet, she said. The incident report detailed 46 pieces of jewelry stolen from the store at 4400 Sharon Road in south Charlotte. The median value of the items stolen was $1,300. charlotteobserver.com

ORC male hits Bloomingdales for 11 Burberry coats March 3rd in Upper Merion, PA

ORC couple (male-female) hit Sephora at Palisades Center Mall in West Nyack for $2,500 worth of merchandise Saturday

Flemington, PA AT&T Store burglary nets $100,000-plus in smartphones, authorities say

High-end hair extensions stolen during smash-and-grab at Houston beauty supply