Clarkesville man charged with stealing nearly $1 million in products from Distribution Center in Jefferson Co, GAer in Jefferson Co, GA  The Georgia Bureau of Investigation charged Russell Scott Tittle, 42, of Clarkesville, with four counts of cargo theft, a new law passed last year to combat the growing crime of thefts at distribution centers, rail yards and sea ports, according to John Cannon, GBI agent in charge of a special Major Theft Unit based in Conyers. Tittle, who was employed by a company moving products at the distribution center, remained in the Jackson County Jail on Friday without bond. The GBI began its investigation in late January, soon after Reckitt Benckiser, a 40,000-square-foot distribution center in Jefferson, reported to Jefferson police that two trailers full of products were missing, according to Jefferson Police Investigator Sgt. James McNatt. Among the items missing in large quantities congestion medicine, police said. The investigation led to the recovery of between $750,000 to $800,000 of the $974,000 worth of stolen products, which included over-the-counter medications and food. Investigators were able to find leads in the case in nearby counties, including Franklin and Madison counties. onlineathens.com

Macy's Robbery at Tuttle Mall, Columbus, Ohio caught on tape  On March 5, about 8:55 p.m., four unidentified subjects entered the south entrance of Macy's at Tuttle Crossing & Hayden Run. They then went to the Men's Polo department where at least 15-20 items of clothing were selected and taken into dressing rooms. Seven minutes later the group left the store via the south entrance, carrying large, filled shopping bags. Further review of the surveillance footage shows that the three female suspects had previously been in the Men's Polo department at which time they systematically rearranged pieces of clothing on a certain rack and in areas that made it easier to steal when they returned. The suspects are all black, three females and one male, and in their late teens to early 20's. They were all wearing black & dark clothing. abc6onyourside.com

'Tampa Bay's ORC Rings' Keeping Detectives Busy
As a Clearwater police officer, Lesa Phillips remembers encountering shoplifters, many of them people down on their luck and stealing food to get by. But in her new role this year as a detective in the department's economic crimes unit, Phillips is investigating retail theft rings. "It's taken to a whole new level," Phillips said, "and it's basically become a career for these people. In Pinellas County, the Sheriff's Office is investigating a ring composed of more than 10 people who are accused of stealing about $25,000 in merchandise from stores in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas, and then returning the items for money, according to an arrest report. At least one arrest has been made. Detectives declined to discuss the case because it is active. Smith, who investigates retail theft in Tampa, said he encounters organized groups regularly: most of the roughly 20 cases in his workload involve rings. Although clothing and perfume are typical targets, sunglasses have also become popular among thieves: So far this year, about $30,000 worth of sunglasses have been reported stolen in Tampa, he said. tampabay.com

Biloxi, MS Man caught concealing over $1000 of merchandise at Belk
Police arrested a man Sunday afternoon on a charge of shoplifting more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from Belk department store in Edgewater Mall. Officers responded about 2:12 p.m. to a report from Belk loss prevention employees, who said Bishari Waleed Epting, 37, concealed merchandise inside a black plastic bag and attempted to exit the store, Lt. Christopher De Back said in a release. The employees made contact with Epting as he tried leaving the store. Police arrived and arrested Epting on a charge of felony shoplifting. He is being held in the Harrison County jail in lieu of $25,000 bond. sunherald.com

Kentucky Woman indicted on Criminal Syndicate Charge/Organized Retail Theft  Perry County woman is facing a felony organized crime charge in an indictment handed down this week. According to the indictment, handed down by a Pike Grand Jury Wednesday, Stacey Lynn Combs, 36, of Eagle Branch Road, Hazard, is facing felony charges of theft and engaging in a criminal syndicate in relation to an incident which occurred last November. According to the indictment, on Nov. 12, 2014, Combs stole more than $500 worth of merchandise from Dollar General store. The indictment also said that from July 2014 to November 2014, Combs acted with two more persons in acquiring stolen merchandise for the purpose of reselling it while maintaining a criminal syndicate. news-expressky.com

Philadelphia man pleads guilty to Crashing into a Police Car during ORC theft at Home Depot