Half a million $$$ ORC fake return scam across nine states hits T.J. Maxx, Home Goods, and Marshalls stores. Dmitry Voytenko, 22; his sister, Valeria A. Gershanov, 21; and her husband , Vladimir Gershanov, 36 — all of the 1500 block of Cherokee Drive — were arrested Friday in Palatine after a three-month joint investigation led by TJX Companies task force (the parent company of T.J. Maxx) with help from Palatine police and the Cook County Regional Organized Task Force, said Palatine Cmdr. Kurt Schroeder. Since November, the trio would shoplift items from stores, including a HomeGoods at 7230 W. Dempster St. in Morton Grove, as well as stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Vermont, Texas and Florida, Schroeder said. They would then return the stolen goods for store credit, and use that store credit to purchase items from other stores, he said. They would also make valid returns for identical items they bought with cash, using those receipts to get additional cash for the shoplifted items, Schroeder said. The stores estimate a merchandise loss of more than $163,000, he said, while the refunds totaled more than $500,000. (Source trilocal.com)

Four arrested in Houston area Walgreens. Police have apprehended 4 suspects believed to have been targeting Walgreens, focused on body wash and energy drinks. The 4 were each charged with the theft of $847.78, a second degree felony. The police statement said the store manager told police a group of four people came into the store and strategically worked as a team to commit the thefts. One of the suspects (Shintel Mathews) was busted on May 2, also for felony theft charges and believed to be traveling with others from a theft ring.  (Source wwntradio.com)

Boise Counterfeit Credit Card ring busted. Boise police say they caught the men Wednesday afternoon with dozens of fake credit cards and thousands of dollars worth of clothes and gift cards they bought with those fake cards. Police say the men, both from southern California, appear to have been in the Boise area since Monday. Police say the arrests were possible because of the strong relationship Boise police have with local retailers.  (Source nwcn.com) (Source ktvb.com)




Western Michigan teens facing felony charges. Five teenage suspects went on a shoplifting spree at two malls, stealing over $2000 in clothing. Four of the girls are 19 years old and were traveling with one 16-year-old girl. All are now facing felony charges.  (Source fox17online.com)




Phoenix makes "Top 10" list of cities being hit by ORC. "We are now number ten out of the top ten cities around the U.S. who have been targeted for organized retail crime," said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. According to a press release, using a secure website developed by the Arizona Organized Retail Crime Alliance, retailers and law enforcement authorities will now be able to gather and share intelligence in real time by posting bulletins about robberies, counterfeiting, check and credit card fraud and other scams. (Source ktar.com) (Source myfoxphoenix.com)

Stein Mart reports ORC return scam in St. Charles, ILL. An east side retailer reported a case of organized retail theft last week that also involved its store in Wheaton, according to a St. Charles police report. A loss prevention officer with Stein Mart, 3619 E. Main St., told police Friday the fraudulent return scam began April 12 when a woman bought a $24.99 scarf at the St. Charles store and used its price tag on a return she made at the Wheaton location April 17. The scarf she returned was not Stein Mart merchandise, police reported. (Source kcchronicle.com)