Sarasota, FL: Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrests 13 in ORC undercover operation
Thirteen people were arrested in a four-day long undercover operation targeting retail theft in Sarasota, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office. Deputies focused on retail corridors in Sarasota, as well as along South Tamiami Trail in Venice, making 13 arrests and filing 32 charges, according to a news release. Those arrested have a total 197 prior charges and 57 prior convictions. facebook.com



Gainesville, FL: Burglary Crew pulled over for Driving without Headlights;
Deputy finds $30,000 in stolen cell phones
Alachua County sheriff's deputy stopped the vehicle at 2:01 a.m. for driving without its headlights on. The deputy detained the three men after smelling marijuana. In the vehicle officials reported finding $600, a crowbar, masks and two bags containing 200 smartphones and iPads worth an estimated $30,000. The items were believed to have been taken from iCARE Smartphone Repair. Officers went to the business and found that its front door had been smashed, the media release states. They reviewed surveillance video showing two males entering at 1:48 a.m., smashing cases with a crowbar and filling the bags with smartphones. One of the burglars grabbed a cash drawer off the counter. gainesville.com

Taylorsville, KY: 3 charged after $10K worth of Kate Spade purses stolen from Outlet Malls of the Bluegrass
Taylorsville Police worked alongside Simpsonville and Shelbyville Police Departments. Police say two were trying to sell stolen purses on Facebook, at Louisville Pawn shops, and even out of a car. The three week long investigation led them to an apartment complex. Altogether there was more than $10,000 worth of Kate Spade purses and wallets between the home and a vehicle. Police say Kate Spade of the Outlet Malls of the Bluegrass did not realize a theft had been going on. The merchandise was stolen by a maintenance man from storage space they were renting that was not yet open to the public. whas11.com

Charles County, MD: Thieves Identified in Victoria's Secret Shoplifting Case That Went Viral on Video
Detectives assigned to the Charles County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division have identified the two female shoplifters who stole numerous pieces of clothing from Victoria's Secret at the St. Charles Town Center, on April 27, 2016. A passerby recorded the women as they entered the store, opened a lawn-sized trash bag they brought with them, and stole 12 tank tops, 36 hooded sweatshirts, 24 pants, and 12 shorts from a front display. They walked out of the store and fled. Officers retrieved footage of the theft which was then released to media in an effort to identify the women. Within 24 hours, tips to the Charles County Crime Solvers tip line, as well as calls to the Sheriff's Office, led to the names of the suspects. Investigators pursued the tips and on May 5, positively identified them.  smnewsnet.com

Lowell, MI: High-end liquor thefts at Rite Aid, Meijer stores bring Repeat Offender felony charges
A career criminal is back behind bars, accused of stealing thousands of dollars in high-end liquor at area Meijer stores which police say he traded for drugs. Jeremy Ryan Rector, 39, is charged with stealing alcohol between March 19 and April 11 at the Rite Aid in Lowell and at 6 different Meijer stores a cross Michigan. He targeted bottles of liquor priced between $100 and $150 (totaling over $1,000) , including Patron. Rector also faces retail fraud charges in 2 other MI cities where police say he stole high-end cologne. wzzm13.com

Cody, WY: Felony TV thief pleads guilty to reduced misdemeanor charge
With a felony theft charge amended to a misdemeanor, Brian Rodriguez pled guilty in Park County District Court to the charges of stealing televisions from the Cody Walmart store. The case involves Lovell couple Rodriguez and girlfriend Shanna Rae Jolly; they were charged by the State with stealing TV sets last summer from Walmart and trying to sell at least one of them. codyenterprise.com


Lebanon, TN: Police release video of 3 shoplifters fleeing with trash bags full of merchandise from Polo/Ralph Lauren Outlet
The Lebanon Police Department needs your help in identifying these three female suspects who shoplifted from the Polo Ralph Lauren store at the Outlet Village Mall. The incident took place on May 10th at approximately 8pm. Three females walked into the store, removed black plastic bags from under their clothing and began filling the bags with merchandise. fox17.com


Hartford, CT: Walmart Shoplifter steals $1,500 worth of merchandise, held on 2 additional warrants

New Milford, NJ: Woman arrested for theft of $530 in merchandise from Lord & Taylor in the Willowbrook Mall