ORLANDO, Fla. — A suspected shoplifter was hitting outlet stores in Orlando and police said she even had her own device to get through the anti-theft security. Orlando police said the suspect stole from several stores before getting arrested.
Workers at the Premium Outlets on International Drive and Oak Ridge Road, eventually caught on to the suspect on Sunday night.
Dorthy Garrett posted $100 to bond out of the Orange County jail on Monday.
Loss prevention workers at the mall said she had three bags full of jeans and shirts. That's enough stolen clothes to put together 11 outfits.
Orlando police believe Garrett drove two hours from Jacksonville just to rip off stores at the Premium Outlet Mall on International Drive.
She was arrested Sunday night as she walked out of the Gap Outlet.
Investigators believe Garrett used what's known as a "magnetic detacher" to remove security tags from clothes.
The device is normally bought and used by retailers.
"I didn't realize that was possible, to be honest with you," said shopper Darren Parkin.
But WFTV found anyone can buy them on the Internet for as cheap as $49, and Garrett allegedly took extra precaution and lined her shopping bags with aluminum foil to be sure she could skirt security systems.
"Good value. Cheap enough. Don't need to go around stealing," Parkin said.
Investigators said she piled jeans, sweaters, and shirts from the Gap Outlet inside a shopping bag. They only got suspicious because she was walking around with an Abercrombie and Fitch bag and there is no Abercrombie on the property.
Orlando police records show petit theft has been a problem the last two years. Last year, there were 1,800 shoplifting cases.
In fact, WFTV was at the Premium Outlets in December when Orlando police busted three women for their role in a sophisticated shoplifting ring at the mall.
"I wouldn't dream of doing anything like that myself, but that's a bit bad, guess people are really hard up," said shopper Stuart Mason.
Garrett is charged with misdemeanor petit theft and illegal use of an anti-shoplifting device. Florida Department of Law Enforcement records show she was arrested for fraud in Jacksonville in March.
WFTV
