Fresno-based robbery crew busted for 7 robberies and ORC thefts of high-dollar items from retailers The arrest of a crew of Fresno-based robbery suspects blamed for a string of heists in Fresno and Northern California. The three gang members are responsible for seven armed robberies in Fresno and Madera from late October through Nov. 19. The men are also suspects in thefts of high-dollar items from stores near Sacramento and the Bay Area. Northern California robberies included a Nordstrom department store in Sacramento, a Bay Area Louis Vuitton store and a Burberry Factory Outlet in Vacaville. Businesses targeted in the Fresno-Madera area included CVS pharmacies, Check 'n Go lending stores, a Foods Co market, two motels and a mini-mart. A total of about $100,000 in merchandise was taken from the stores. None is believed to have been recovered. (Source fresnobee.com)

Two New Orleans women busted at Mandeville. LA., Victoria's Secret with a dozen ID's, shoplifting, returning merchandise, and two dozen gift cards from various retailers Renada Robertson, 32, and Demaria Conner, 25, hit the Victoria Secret store trying to return stolen merchandise they had just removed from the shelves. The investigation turned up about a dozen suspected fake Louisiana and Texas identifications, which investigators believe were used to fraudulently obtain about two dozen gift cards (typically issued for store returns) from area retailers as well as several articles of suspected stolen merchandise. Several compromised security tags; a shopping bag lined with aluminum foil as well as an electronic device used to deactivate electronic store security tags were recovered from the suspected thieves. Investigators were still working to identify victims and determine dollar amounts yesterday. (Source newsbanner.com)

A postal worker among six arrested in Alabama identity theft ring. A postal worker diverted mail, which included credit cards, to the dubious mail box and the suspects ran credit reports on victims before opening accounts in their names. The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama says members of the identity theft ring conspired to fraudulently obtain credit cards by diverting mail to a phony mailbox at a Montgomery post office. Officials say about $600,000 total was stolen from innocent victims. The six who were arrested are from Alabama and Georgia, and are charged with identity theft, wire fraud and bank fraud. They may be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison and may have to pay a fine of up to $1 million.  (Source montgomeryadvertiser.com)