$5 million theft ring in Washington D.C. area shut down: 7 members of 'Simple City Criminal Organization'  Federal and local law enforcement officials announced Thursday that they shut down a theft ring that netted $5 million through a series of carjackings, robberies and other crimes allegedly committed around the region since 2009. Seven members of the Simple City Criminal Organization were arrested Thursday after 140 federal and local law enforcement officers executed 11 search warrants in the alleged racketeering conspiracy. The group specialized in "hop-ins" - thefts that occur when someone leaves their keys in the car as it warms up or at a gas station, prosecutors allege. After stealing a car, members of the ring would use it to commit robberies or other crimes, authorities said. They would sell the cellphones, tablets and computers found in vehicles for a profit and use any credit cards, checkbooks or debit cards found to commit fraud, federal investigators charged. washingtonpost.com

Bel Air, MD Police seek suspects in over $10,000 thefts from HH Gregg and Toys R Us  Bel Air Police say they are investigating a series of burglaries at HH Gregg and Toys R Us in the Tollgate Marketplace Shopping Center, off Route 24 and Marketplace Drive. According to police, the thieves used a 20-foot U-Haul rental truck, with "Oregon Deep Rover" logo on the sides, to steal more than $10,000 worth of property, including Samsung televisions and Power Wheels children's motorized toys, from the two stores which sit side-by-side. The same people may be involved in similar crimes in Baltimore County and in Laurel, the BAPD said in a news release. The burglaries occurred on three occasions between July 11 and Thursday, BAPD Det. Sgt. Jim Lockard said. The thieves did not take anything one of the times, he said. They broke into the HH Gregg store and into a storage container used by Toys R Us, he said. baltimoresun.com

Two arrested in Home Depot $4,500 tool theft in Idaho Falls, ID
Idaho Falls Police have arrested two men in connection to a burglary at the Idaho Falls Home Depot on Wednesday. Jake K. McEntire, 30, and Jacob H. Gunderson, 38, were arrested for burglary after stealing more than $4,000 in merchandise, police said. Police reports say officers responded to the parking lot of Home Depot, around 1:36 p.m. for a report of drug activity. Officers discovered McEntire, who was in possession of heroin, and Gunderson had been using drugs in Gunderson's vehicle. Gunderson and McEntire also went into Home Depot and selected $4,582 in merchandise, including tools and other large items. The two left the store without paying for the merchandise. A two-year-old boy was with the men at the time. localnews8.com

Two members of Kmart cleaning crew charged with $3,000 theft in Peters Twp, PA  Peters Twp Police Chief Harry Fruecht said the men would first remove security devices from the merchandise to avoid setting off alarms and then transport the items out of the store. Some of the items taken since June 25 include bottles of perfume, folding knives, a Monster Moto mini bike, carpenter pants, baseball pants, a Sylvania portable DVD player, a Samsung Blu Ray player, a sound bar, multiple televisions and sanding sponges. Total value of the items taken was $3,257.64, Fruecht said. thealmanac.net

CVS in Nassau Co, NY hit by Armed Shoplifter; $500 in Claritin stolen