Ringleader of a $1.63M U.S. smash and grab gang "plaguing" the West End of London convicted along with his gang Jewelry, designer handbags and iPads were stolen in a series of raids on stores including Dolce & Gabbana, Anya Hindmarch, Loewe, Dior, Hush Jewellers and the Apple Store in Covent Garden. The gang terrorized London between April and October 2011, arriving on stolen high-powered bikes before looting the shops and speeding away. Police say they drove so fast and recklessly it took them just four minutes to travel from the West End to homes in and around Islington. Detectives believe the group were behind most smash and grab raids in London last year. After their arrest there was not a single raid in the capital for three months. Detectives say there is evidence the gang stole to order, often targeting new ranges of merchandise. The arrests were the climax of an extraordinary 100 night stake-out of West End stores by specialist undercover officers. Detectives from Westminster’s Crime Squad lay in wait for the gang in an elaborate surveillance operation on suspects’ homes and their possible targets. Detective Sergeant Alan Stimson, of the Westminster Crime Squad, said "These convictions are the result of a huge operation to tackle smash and grab raids in London and we believe the people of London are significantly safer as a result." Four members of the gang were convicted today of 46 raids on designer stores in London in the summer of last year. They face sentencing next month. Three others pleaded guilty at earlier hearings. (Source standard.co.uk)


Senior Citizens? - ORC traveling ring of four men hits Best Buy Stores in Pittsburgh, PA. Ross Township Police say a group of men at least 60 years of age, are pulling off a pretty elaborate heist. Surveillance video from Best Buy shows four men browsing through the store, in no hurry. Two of the thieves surround a case of expensive cameras, and fill up a backpack. That’s when another of the men comes and takes the backpack. After they’ve got the goods, the backpack goes under a jacket, and the two make their slick getaway. Police believe the suspects are from out of state, and are professional criminals who have been doing the same thing in our state, and others along the East Coast. They’ve stolen nearly ten-thousand dollars so far in their heists. They are an organized ring. We believe they're traveling throughout Pennsylvania, possibly even the East Coast," Dripps said. (Source wtae.com) (Source cbslocal.com) (Source post-gazette.com)







Apple devices again the target of thieves at an Arkansas Walmart. At 5:45 a.m. on Saturday, two suspects smashed out the glass under stock area of an iPad display at the Walmart in Paragould, Arkansas. No one was injured, but a threat was made towards one Walmart associate. Police believe these are the same suspects who hit the Jonesboro Walmart on Tuesday. Police have identified the two suspect and warrants have been issued. (Source kait8.com)








Pittsburgh Louis Vuitton store robbed Thursday; five suspects are likely part of an ORC ring. The five people, ranging in age from 20s to 30s, walked into the Ross Park Mall store at 8 p.m. last Thursday and were there for all of 30 seconds before leaving. "They pretty much just took the bags and walked out of the store," Ross police Detective Brian Kohlhepp said.  (Source triblive.com)



San Diego thieves hit Victoria Secret’s for 300 pairs of panties. The two male suspects were only in the store for a very short time, but worked together quickly to empty displays. As one suspect held the large shopping bag, the other suspect simply swiped up the merchandise and threw it in the bag. (Source wtsp.com