Kohl's LP Exec., Michael DeMeo busts Trio who plead guilty to being involved in a massive nationwide identity theft and check counterfeiting ring  Two of them had been sought by Wal-Mart security officials for two years for cashing more than $370,000 worth of counterfeit payroll checks. "Their method of operation was to be on the road," Tilton Police Chief Robert Cormier said. "Sometimes they didn't know which state they were in. They'd just follow the GPS to the next block of stores." Their cases reveal new details about the scope of the conspiracy, including what records they kept of others' personal information and the dozens of fake IDs they're accused of carrying. Wal-Mart security officials say 270 people had their identities misused on checks the retail giant cashed, according to West's plea agreement. Their scheme unraveled when an off-duty loss prevention investigator from Kohl's department stores who was on vacation in New Hampshire and shopping with his wife happened to be in line behind the men when a Brooks Brothers clerk challenged the identification being used. The investigator, Michael DeMeo, became suspicious and called Tilton police. He continued to monitor the men until police arrived. (Source pressherald.com)

"Skimmers" discovered "all over the place" across San Bernardino County, CA  and hundreds of people have been victims of identity theft according to a detective who said two suspects were arrested. A boyfriend-girlfriend team that's thought to be part of a larger organization was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the crimes this week, but multiple police agencies are looking for more suspects. They're all over the place. A lot of these restaurants have these devices outside the drive-thru. You don't want to use those either," Stringer said. "The gas station thing is off the chart right now." (Source nbclosangeles.com)


ORC? Three wanted in retail theft at Hershey outlets in Hershey, PA  Police are seeking help from the public in identifying three men involved in a retail theft incident at the Tanger Outlet Mall in Hershey. One of the thieves distracted a store clerk Tuesday while the other two stole more than $1,400 in merchandise. The men were described as well dressed white or Hispanic males. One was in his mid-20's to early 30's while the other two were older, possibly in their mid-40's, police said. (Source abc27.com)


Four detained at Kohl's, accused of running shoplifting ring in Live Oak, TX  Police in Live Oak caught up with four suspects at a Kohl's Department Store in the Forum Shopping Center on Friday afternoon. The group is accused of shoplifting a number of items. Officers found more stolen merchandise in the suspect vehicle. Investigators are trying to determine whether the same group is responsible for a similar incident just hours earlier at a Macy's at Rolling Oaks Mall. Live Oak police will attempt to identify the owners of the stolen property. (Source kens5.com)

Trio ORC box-stuffing gang hits Best Buy for 40 iPads and MP3 players worth $200 each in Evansville, IN  The thieves walked into Best Buy through the front door, careful to make staggered entrances in what Police Sgt. Jason Cullum called perhaps the most sophisticated shoplifting operation carried out in Evansville this year. They were buying larger items — like, they'd buy an item that came in a bigger box but they would put multiple iPods inside that box. (Source courierpress.com)

Police nabbed three members of Felony Lane Gang in Naples, FL.  Three members believed to be part of the "Felony Lane" organized crime gang were arrested Saturday following two car burglaries and attempted fraud at an East Naples Walmart. Collier County sheriff's deputies started their investigation after two victims reported their car windows smashed and several items, including credit cards, stolen. Deputies asked the victims to call their credit card companies, which said purchases were being made at an East Naples Walmart. Deputies located the suspects, made arrests, and reviewed surveillance video, an arrest report said. A suspect tried to make a $600 purchase with one of the victims' stolen credit card, but it was declined. A second suspect successfully bought a $300 gift card, which he then used to pay for an Xbox video game system. During a search of the suspects' vehicle, several illegally obtained items were found, including two iPads, two Xbox consoles and a spring-loaded window punch. (Source palmbeachdailynews.com)