Fencing Operation:  10 people arrested - Owners, Employees of 3 Pawn Shops Involved in Theft, 'Fencing' Ring - Home Depot & Lowe's Investigations credited by Police in Connecticut  At least 10 people suspected of involvement in a theft and stolen goods trafficking operation, including owners, managers and employees at three pawn shops in Bristol, Torrington and Wolcott, have been arrested in a year-long multi-town police investigation. The New Hartford resident state trooper's office launched an investigation a year ago " into an organized ring of thieves and fencing operations" in the Torrington, Bristol and Wolcott areas, state police said. The case was transferred to the Western District Major Crime Squad, who identified the Coliseum Trading Post in Torrington, Coliseum Pawn in Bristol and Gold N Pawn in Wolcott as places where some of the theft and fencing suspects work. 10 people were arrested on multiple charges. Coliseum Trading Post, Gold N Pawn in Wolcott, and Coliseum Pawn were the three pawn shops involved. With Torrington, Winsted and Wolcott police, FBI based in New Haven, the Lowes Corporation Loss Prevention Unit, the Home Depot Corporate Investigation Division, the Chief State's Attorney's Office Statewide Prosecution Unit, the Litchfield State's Attorney's Office, the Connecticut State Police the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit, the Computer Crimes Unit, the Central Criminal Intelligence Unit, the Bureau of Criminal Investigations, the Statewide Narcotics Task Force and state police from Troop B and Troop L barracks assisted with the investigation. nbcconnecticut.com

Fencing Operation: Cell Phone fencing operator busted in Sting Operation in Orlando, FL  Since September, Orlando police said it's been dealing with a high volume of cellphone theft at retail stores. In Orlando, there have been nine reported cases of theft and 20 additional thefts in surrounding counties. OPD said in all, over $150,000 in losses and damages were accrued in the process. In January, OPD apprehended Shykeem Smith, who confessed to committing multiple thefts of cellphones in various counties. Still, authorities questioned what happened to the stolen phones. Smith told OPD that he sold them to Duc Nguyen, a cellphone repair store owner in Orlando. As a result, OPD teamed up with the Seminole County Sheriff's department and launched an undercover investigation to find Nguyen. Over the course of six weeks, undercover officers attempted to and successfully sold cellphones to Nguyen on seven different occasions. In the beginning, the sales would occur in the store, but eventually led to sales in back alleys and nearby parking lots. After six weeks of the investigation, OPD had enough evidence to make an arrest on Nguyen Thursday night on seven felony warrants. clickorlando.com

Peabody, MA Police arrest 3 in alleged shoplifting ring; seizing over $100,000 in merchandise  Authorities broke up an organized retail shoplifting ring Friday, arresting three people they believe are the ringleaders at a Chelsea apartment and seizing more than $100,000 in stolen merchandise as well as $10,000 in cash. The arrests were the result of several years of investigative work by Peabody officers into an organized ring that was ripping off stores at the Northshore Mall, said Peabody Chief Tom Griffin. According to Peabody police, who executed a search warrant at the apartment, the living room area was "set up to mimic a storefront where prospective shoppers could view the alleged stolen merchandise." "(The operation) is a direct reflection of the competent talent that we have within our department," said Griffin Friday afternoon. "We're still trying to narrow down where all the property came from," he said. Most of it is clothing and perfumes. "We believe a lot of it came from Peabody," he said, but noted a portion of the goods were likely stolen from other shopping malls. Patrol officers John Nelson, Daniel Murphy and Detective Ralph Scopa searched the apartment at 140 Chestnut St. #3 in Chelsea Friday as part of a joint operation with Revere and Chelsea police, Homeland Security, officials from the Northshore Mall and corporate loss prevention agencies from Sephora, Victoria's Secret, the Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister. Griffin said the connection from Peabody to Chelsea was developed by working with mall merchants and loss prevention teams over the years. The merchandise in this case was being resold to customers who visited the trio's apartment, marketed online or shipped overseas. Those are all typical practices with organized shoplifting rings. salemnews.com

33 arrested in Marion Co, FL retail theft bust
Marion County Sheriff's Office detectives, along with the Ocala Police Department, arrested and charged 33 people for a total of 17 felonies, 34 misdemeanors, six violations of probations and two warrants during a two-day retail theft sting on Thursday and Friday (3/12/15 and 3/13/15). MCSO and OPD partnered with Walmart, Bealls, Target and Publix during this operation. All the stores provided additional loss prevention personnel who all worked with the same goal in mind to reduce retail theft in Marion County. During the operation, loss prevention officers patrolled the stores and made apprehensions with the assistance of detectives. Detectives then conducted thorough investigations and interviews with the suspects to determine if they were involved in any additional crimes in Marion County. This operation is funded by a grant from the Florida Legislature with no impact on the Sheriff's budget. "This retail theft sting could not have been possible without the cooperation of all the businesses that participated," said Sheriff Chris Blair. "We are extremely grateful to have these community partners. Together, we can continue to reduce crime in Marion County, for our citizens and our businesses alike." During the operation, loss prevention officers patrolled the stores and made apprehensions with the assistance of detectives. Detectives then conducted thorough investigations and interviews with the suspects to determine if they were involved in any additional crimes in Marion County. This operation is funded by a grant from the Florida Legislature with no impact on the Sheriff's budget. "This retail theft sting could not have been possible without the cooperation of all the businesses that participated," said Sheriff Chris Blair. "We are extremely grateful to have these community partners. Together, we can continue to reduce crime in Marion County, for our citizens and our businesses alike." facebook.com

Kentucky couple indicted on Heroin trafficking charges; responsible for up to $7,500 in baby formula theft from Kroger  The Brown County Grand Jury met in Georgetown last week and handed down indictments to 11 individuals, including Samantha R. Moermond, 25, and Derek W. Worstell, 24, on allegations they had been trafficking heroin. According to their identical bills of indictment, each sold or offered to sell heroin. The pair also allegedly stole baby formula and other baby-related merchandise from Kroger Co. at a value of $1,000-$7,500 between Nov. 1, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2014. Each also allegedly received stolen baby products from Kroger Co. as well as engaged in a pattern of corrupt activity. newsdemocrat.com

Houston Police seeks men who stole over $5,000 worth of items from Galleria store  The Houston Police Department's Theft Division is seeking information about four men who stole more than $5,000 worth of items from a Galleria store. The theft happened Nov. 26 in the 5000 block of Westheimer. Officials said two of the men distracted an employee while two others browsed the sunglasses display. One of the men tried on a pair of sunglasses and put one pair in his jacket pocket. The same man who took the sunglasses also took two jackets from a rack, went to the dressing room and came out with one. Surveillance footage showed the man was wearing the second jacket under the one he originally wore into the store. click2houston.com

Bangor, PA man steals $2,700 from Wal-Mart during four separate thefts
A Bangor man's rash of thefts at a Lower Nazareth Township Wal-Mart totaled $2,706 during four trips to the store. When Shawn Hayes, 41, walked into the Wal-Mart store Wednesday, security immediately recognized him as a man wanted in a three previous retail thefts at the location, according to records. Authorities watched Hayes make his way around the store, court papers say. Police say he had $542 worth of merchandise in his cart when he tried to leave. Hayes was detained and interviewed by authorities. He agreed to speak to police and readily admitted to stealing store products and selling them in the street. lehighvalleylive.com

Westlake, OH Police seeking identity of a Baby Formula thief hitting multiple times at CVS  Police are hoping someone will recognize the woman seen on surveillance cameras stealing baby formula at a CVS store. The incident happened on Tuesday at about 2:30 p.m. at the store at 30791 Detroit Rd. Investigators said she is also responsible for three similar thefts from the same store over the past month. In each case, she fled in a silver hatchback. wkyc.com