Five arrested in connection with cross-country retail theft spree hitting retailers including Target, TJ Maxx and Marshalls Five people suspected in a cross-country theft and identity fraud spree were arrested in Utah Thursday after police say they stole credit cards from shoppers and merchandise from several big businesses including Target stores. The group rented a car in Miami on Nov. 3 and committed retail theft in Texas and Colorado before coming to Utah, said Cottonwood Heights Police Sgt. Gary Young. The three men and two women are accused of starting their Utah crime spree at TJ Maxx in Cottonwood Heights by stealing a woman's credit cards and using them down the street at a Target store. They continued this process until they were caught that night at 11 p.m. in a Target Store in Salt Lake City. Inside their van parked in the Target lot, detectives found thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from Target and other stores in Colorado and Texas. (Source desertnews.com) (Source ksl.com)

Rite Aid ORC suspect hits store in Thomaston, CT for razors and teeth whitener products. A man carrying a large shopping bag filled the bag to the top with teeth whitener products and razors and walked out of the store, setting off EAS alarms. The suspect was caught on video, it is unknown at this time the exact value of the missing inventory. The suspect was already gone from the parking lot by the time the store associates got to the front doors. (Source rep-am.com)

Walmart refunders in Tampa, FL could face robbery and assault charges. Tampa police are seeking the public's help in finding two armed suspects who robbed a Walmart on Wednesday. Police say that after midnight, the suspects, a man and woman, attempted to conduct a fraudulent return after shoplifting items from a shelf at the store on North Dale Mabry Highway. Police say the refund exceeded $100, and store security attempted to stop the female near the front doors. After struggling to get the woman into the security office, police say the male returned from his vehicle and threatened the security officer with an unknown object, possibly a firearm. The suspects got away. (Source tbo.com)