Arlington, TX: Thousands in Stolen Goods discovered during Pot Bust
When investigators raided a south Arlington home last week, much of the initial attention was paid to the unexpected discovery of a marijuana-growing operation in the backyard. Department of Public Safety agents found nearly 100 plants in an underground lair that was covered with a wooden deck as a disguise. But according to a search warrant filed in Tarrant County, the actual target of the raid was hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen goods. Inside the house on Magnum Drive investigators recovered at least 280 pairs of Nike shoes; dozens of guns; 85 foot-massagers; speakers; and a long list of other items. Neighbors remain stunned and confused that such an extensive theft operation occurred right under their noses. wfaa.com
 

Pasadena, CA: Burglars smash through glass door of Metro PCS,
steal 90 smartphones
Police are searching for three suspects accused of burglarizing and shattering the glass front door of a Pasadena store and stealing 90 smartphones on Sunday. Pasadena police said the burglars, described as wearing black hooded-sweatshirts pulled tightly around their faces at the time, smashed their way into the Metro PCS store in the 600 block of N. Los Robles Avenue around 4:18 a.m. abc7.com

Georgetown, SC: Louis Vuitton theft suspect arrested
Sheriff's deputies have arrested a woman they believe stole more than $4,500 worth of merchandise from a King Street store Thursday. Charleston Police released photos of a woman who may have stolen a "Petit DAmier Scarf, a Petit Damier Hat, one Jake Backpack and one Keepall Bandouliere 45." Police said the theft happened around 6 p.m. Thursday evening at the Louis Vuitton Store on King Street. The suspect, Lisa Childers Powell of Georgetown, is charged with grand larceny and property crime enhancement. abcnews4.com

Wentzville, MO: Four Suspects Arrested in $600 Ross Dress for Less and Kohl's Shoplifting Spree
On January 21, four suspects in a stolen car made a stop in Wentzville before going on a shoplifting spree that took them to Columbia and Jefferson City. Wentzville Police said the three suspects entered Ross Dress for Less at 1:44 p.m. on January 21 and took eight purses and some clothing valued at more than $600. The four left in a black 2009 Chevy Impala. Almost eight hours later, the police were called to the Kohl's store in the same shopping center, for a stealing in progress. There, officers found the Impala and identified and arrested four suspects. An investigation revealed that after the four suspects left the Wentzville Ross Dress For Less earlier in the day, they drove west on Interstate 70 to Columbia and then to Jefferson City, where they also stole from retail stores. The Impala, it turned out, was stolen from St. Louis city. 70westsentinel.com


Tulsa, OK: Ex-Con arrested for theft at JC Penney; pepper sprayed Loss Prevention
An ex-convict is back in jail after he was caught trying to steal from a department store. Police said Corey Merritt tried to steal merchandise from the JC Penney store at Promenade Mall in Tulsa Saturday night. He also pepper sprayed a loss prevention officer as he tried to get away. Officers caught Merritt quickly when he tripped over the stolen items falling out of his pants. fox23.com

Columbus, OH: City attorney says shoplifting cases on the rise;
blames ORC and Heroin
City Attorney Rick Pfeiffer says prosecutors in his office filed 4,590 theft charges last year, an increase of 11 percent from 2014.Pfeiffer says the value of stolen merchandise that was recovered jumped 23 percent to $695,527 last year. Pfeiffer says most shoplifting involves repeat offenders, with four out of five cases perpetrated by suspects with criminal records. First Assistant City Prosecutor Bill Hedrick attributes the increase to Ohio's heroin epidemic, organized retail crime, and the ability to easily sell stolen goods on the Internet. whio.com

Farmington, CT: $50,000 in Lord & Taylor Merchandise stolen at Westfarms Mall
Farmington police are asking for the public's help to identify a man in surveillance footage suspected in several thefts at Lord & Taylor at the Westfarms Mall involving up to $50,000 in stolen merchandise. The department currently has six open cases involving the suspect, who they believe has stolen jackets, scarves and high-end purses with the help of an accomplice. The thefts, taking place over the past month, amounted to between $40,000 and $50,000 in stolen merchandise. nbcconnecticut.com


Sheboygan, WI: 90 days Jail Time for $800 Theft at Walmart