Local

Police: Mastermind in retail theft ring arrested

ORLANDO, Fla. — Suspect behind a massive retail theft ring is arrested after five years on the run.

Detectives said Susana Castillo was behind a plan to steal more than $100,000 in clothing from the Premium Outlets on International Drive.

Detectives found out all the merchandise was going to be shipped to a store in Ecuador to be sold.

Investigators said Castillo was the mastermind behind a five-person retail theft ring that traveled from New York to Orlando to steal.

The ring was busted in 2007, but some of the alleged crooks were only recently caught, including Castillo.

According to detectives, the group had two hotel rooms: one to store their stolen merchandise and one to sleep in.

The group was followed to the Premium Outlets, where they allegedly shoplifted for 12 hours a day, blending in with tourists.

"A busy store, yeah, people take advantage," said tourist Jimmy Jimenez.

The group also rented a storage unit. When detectives busted in they said they found bags of clothes.

Detectives said the ring had stolen 3,500 garments from more than two dozen stores.

When detectives searched the two rooms they said they found shopping bags lined with tin foil to keep theft sensors from going off at the stores and a map or Orlando with the outlet stores circled.

"It's unbelievable how they do that," said tourist Elioses Laurindo.

There is still at least one person who's accused of helping steal from the outlets that hasn't been caught.

Castillo is in the Orange County Jail on bond.