Chicago, IL: Apple Stores targeted in traveling fraud scheme; 6 from NY arrested According to the Lake County sheriff's department, the New Yorkers, ranging in age from 18 to 41, would fly in to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, rent a car and travel to a nearby Apple Store with intent to attempt a fraudulent purchase. The suspects were arrested and charged last week after authorities, acting on a tip regarding an impending criminal operation, increased patrols and surveillance at a local Apple Store in Deer Park. More than $10,000 worth of stolen Apple products were recovered as part of law enforcement efforts. In a statement, the sheriff's office said each of the six people allegedly attempted to commit fraud at the same Deer Park Apple Store over a period of five days. On Wednesday, 21-year-old Nicole E. Cannon tried to make a purchase using stolen identification and credit card information at the location, while Gisselle Diaz, 41, did the same on Friday. On Sunday, Corbett Ortiz, 26, Quinton Ortiz, 18, Melinda Aquino, 21, and Frank Aulet, 20, all allegedly attempted to make fraudulent purchases at the store. All six face multiple felony charges. appleinsider.com

Update: Lake Orion, MI: Two busted for stealing $1,600 in nail polish from CVS
A man and woman are being charged with stealing $1,600 in nail polish from a Lake Orion CVS. Police in Lake Orion said they charged Derek Michael-Herbert Hill, 26, with felony retail fraud. His accomplice, his then-girlfriend, has also been charged but has not been located. Police began an investigation at the CVS Pharmacy in the 200 block of S. Broadway on January 8 to a report of a theft of a large amount of nail polish. A manager told police an estimated 180 bottles of nail polish had been stolen in two weeks during two different thefts. The manager valued the value at $1,600. fox2detroit.com

Falkville, AL: Man charged with theft from Lowe's stores in Decatur,
Athens and Madison
Desmond Kade Aycock, 20, is charged with multiple counts of third-degree theft, a Class D felony, by the Decatur and Madison police departments. In Athens, Aycock is charged with second-degree theft, a Class C felony. Aycock is accused of stealing the tools from Lowe's Home Improvement in Decatur, on July 5. Police obtained a warrant for Aycock's arrest on Thursday, but the suspect was arrested on felony theft charges in Athens. Once Aycock was released from Limestone County Jail, the suspect was brought to Decatur for transport to Morgan County Jail. Madison County authorities had turned over Aycock to Athens Police custody. Aycock is accused of stealing several drills worth $1,575 from Lowe's at its 1109 U.S. 72 E. location on June 30. If convicted of the Class D felony charges, Aycock faces one to five years on probation or community corrections for each. The Class C felony is punishable by one to 10 years in prison. Prison time isn't a sentencing option for Class D felonies. decaturdaily.com

Centralia, IL: Two take a car on a 'Test Drive', steal 2 cartloads of merchandise
Two Centralia residents who took a car for a 'test drive' reportedly used it to come to the Salem Wal-mart where they attempted to steal two full carts of groceries and other items valued at about $1,700. Jessica Kidd and Lanell Marsh were both formally charged in Marion County Court Monday with felony burglary and theft. Salem Police say the two were stopped Friday afternoon when attempting to leave the store with the second full cart of groceries without paying. wjbdradio.com

Norwalk CT: Toys R Us nabs 3 Video Game Thieves
Three New York men were charged Sunday night with attempting to steal video systems and games valued at more than $1,200 from Toys "R" Us. Police were dispatched to the Connecticut Avenue store at approximately 8:30 p.m. on a report from the store's loss prevention staff that the men had shoved a Nintendo DS system, two Nintendo Wii systems, and two video games down their pants and left the store. thehour.com

Salina, KS: Two teens hit 5 stores in Central Mall
Two teenage girls who had been reported as runaways were located by Dillard's security at Central Mall on Thursday, when they were detained wearing and possessing more than 100 pieces of merchandise shoplifted from five mall stores. Capt. Mike Sweeney said Dillard's store security officers called police about 3:20 p.m., after the girls were in custody. He said the girls were wearing clothing and shoes stolen from Rue 21, Dillard's, Famous Footwear, Victoria's Secret and Claire's, all stores at the mall. Danae Renfro, 14, and Destany Dirksen, 17, were booked into juvenile detention in Junction City. The girls also were in possession of two backpacks containing 103 pieces of stolen merchandise totaling $1,214. salina.com

Memphis, TN: Two Shoplifters get Lifetime ban from Walmart
A man and a woman received a lifetime ban from Walmart after police said they stole merchandise multiple times from Walmart. On July 21, Walmart caught a man on surveillance camera walking to the electronics department, identified as Gilbert Edwards. Edwards, 41, walked to the electronics department, picked up an HP All-in-One HP 20 computer, valued at $600, and walked through the store. According to police, he made his way to the garden department, where he walked out a fire exit and left the store without paying for the item. Walmart Loss Prevention watched the video and identified Edwards as the same man who had shoplifted from the store previous times, leading Walmart to place a lifetime ban on him. The next day, the same location captured Edwards and Cassie Shorty, 27, on video walking through the store. They made their way to the electronics department and picked up a 40'' Sony TV, valued at $298, and a HP printer, valued at $600. The two people went out the same route as Edwards did the previous day. Walmart placed a lifetime ban on Shorty as well, due to previous thefts. msnewsnow.com

Las Cruces, NM: Walmart shoplifter attempted escape from Police
A Las Cruces man suspected of shoplifting from Wal-Mart on Sunday briefly escaped police custody while being transported to the Doña Ana County Detention Center. Ruben Rincon, 24, is charged with shoplifting over $500, attempt to escape from a peace officer and concealing identity. Rincon also had an outstanding bench warrant. Around 10 a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the report of a shoplifter at Wal-Mart. Rincon left the store without paying for $597 worth of merchandise, including a computer, a digital TV converter and nine bandanas. When a loss prevention employee confronted Rincon, he allegedly left the shopping cart outside the store and walked across Walton Boulevard. Police found Rincon at a nearby restaurant, and he initially identified himself as his brother, police said. Rincon was arrested and transported to the detention center. As the officer approached the jail, he noticed that Rincon had maneuvered his hands from behind his back, to the front. Rincon then opened door and escaped from the marked police unit. Rincon led officers on a brief foot pursuit before being taken into custody a second time. lcsun-news.com

Sayre, PA: Two charged with multiple retail thefts from Walmart
Christopher Wilson, 22, and Cayla Smith, 21, both of Sayre, were charged with retail theft. At 1:25 p.m. July 24, the two repeatedly attempted to remove merchandise from Wal-Mart in Richmond Township. tiogapublishing.com