Woman shot dead in West Miami-Dade police shooting headed retail theft ring The unarmed West Perrine woman fatally shot by police after a car chase earlier this month was the ringleader of a group of shoplifters who targeted Walgreens and CVS stores, swiping medicine and other goods for re-sale at inner-city markets, authorities say. When she was killed, Yolanda Thomas, 34, was out on bond while awaiting trial for organized retail theft. The noose was tightening. One of her cohorts recently pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate against her, foreshadowing a plan by prosecutors to file a racketeering case. (Source jacksonvillenews.net)


San Francisco Police bust another electronics fencing operation  San Francisco police have busted what they believe to be a big fencing ring. Smartphones and laptops were among the items police recovered on December 27 in one of the biggest hauls of stolen electronics they've ever seen. The bust was the second huge bust police made in a period of two months. In November, they recovered more than a thousand items worth up to half a million dollars from another fencing ring. Cellphones, laptops, as well as other expensive items were among the goods recovered. Three people were arrested. (Source abclocal.go.com)

Counterfeit ring leader gets 2 years 9 months in prison after hitting Nordstrom, Target, and Fred Meyer  Sophanthavong pleaded guilty last September for his role in printing as much as $120,000 in high-quality fake bills. Prosecutors said the 34-year-old was the leader of a group of counterfeiters that used the fake money to buy goods from retailers including Nordstrom, Target and Fred Meyer. They either kept them or returned them to the retailers for cash, prosecutors said. (Source oregonlive.com)

Man Responsible For Shoplifting Spree At Walmart: Repeated Television Theft Matthew Colleluori, 33, was arrested Tuesday afternoon, after attempting to steal his fifth big-screen LCD television from the Marple Crossroads Center Walmart. (Source inquisitr.com)

Nashville woman arrested for shoplifting $5000 of merchandise from the mall at Green Hill.  Police arrested 41-year-old Charmette Pitts as well as two other suspects in Nashville following a search of her. During the search they discovered over $5000 of merchandise. Pitts had stolen $1000 worth of items from Victoria Secret, $1000 worth from Kate Spade, $500 from J Crew and $3000 worth of products from Burberry. (Source newschannel5.com)

Vacuum Cleaner thieves apprehended at a Alton, IL Walmart 
Matthew McDonough and Wayne Sprinkle were arrested on theft charges of $798 dollars of merchandise, Sprinkle also had a bottle of medication called suboxone which he did not have a prescription for. McDonough was in the store last week and pushed out a shopping cart with two sets of headphones and a high end vacuum cleaner. He got away. McDonough returned to the store two days later possibly to hit again but was observed by Loss Prevention who contacted police. Following the apprehension by police, a search of McDonough’s car revealed one pair of the headphone. (Source riverfronttimes.com)