Multi state crime ring hits Wal-Mart in Mahoning Township, Pa. A brazen incident at the Mahoning Township Wal-Mart store early Monday morning resulted in paintball shots being fired and electronic items stolen. The episode was followed by a rapid response and joint effort by numerous local police departments which netted arrests. Those arrests may have resulted in a suspected organized retail theft ring operating in several states being at least partially broken. The three individuals who were arrested are all from Philadelphia and more are expected. Police are also attempting to determine if the individuals were involved in an August electronics heist at Wal-Mart in Hometown. He said five males exited the vehicle and entered the store. They loaded high-end electronics into shopping carts, including a TV, four desktop computers, and two laptops. They had a value of $3,488. According to the police officer, two of the males fled through a front door with two of the laptops. The vehicles drove around to a side alarmed emergency exit. They used the emergency exit and loaded the stolen items into their vehicles, Mertz said. One of the males shouted, "Don't follow me. Whatever you do don't follow me." Employees then heard several shots. The individuals fled before police arrived. Walnutport police spotted the vehicle on Route 145. With the assistance of numerous other law enforcement agencies, the vehicle was stopped in Laurys Station and the three suspects were taken into custody. He said additional information received indicates the individuals are part of an organized retail theft ring operating in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. (Source tnonline.com)


Gang of female shoplifters invade large retail store Saturday night and stole thousands of dollars in merchandise in Muhlenberg, Pa. The store that was hit requested not to be named, police said. Investigators say the women stole televisions, video games, bedding and movies, all totaling $2,700. Information is still scarce, but authorities are hoping someone will recognize the women in the surveillance images and call police. Anybody with information on the gang of alleged shoplifters is asked to call Crime Alert: Berks County immediately. The number is 877-373-9913. (Source wfmz.com)

Three member ORC gang busted hitting stores in Westport, Conn. Two women and one man were busted with $2,000 worth of merchandise from LF stores and Urban Outfitters in their vehicle. The two women had purses with the inside linings cut, which they used to conceal merchandise. Tashays Smith, 23, of Mount Vernon, New York; 22-year-old Shimer Weetom, of Bronx, New York; and 26-year-old Fitzroy Bennett, of Ranchocucamonga, California; were all charged with third-degree larceny, third-degree conspiracy to commit larceny, and possession of a shoplifting device. (Source wtnh.com)