OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Victoria’s Secret stores in Central Florida are missing a lot of bras and panties.
A gang of 14 people are suspected of running an extensive shoplifting ring, and making off with more than $50,000 in merchandise from several retailers, police said.
Hardest hit was Victoria’s Secret, which lost more than $30,000 worth of products in 10 separate incidents. During that time, 1,432 pairs of panties and 374 bras were taken, according to an Osceola County Sheriff’s Office investigation report released by the Statewide Prosecutor of Florida.
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Also hit were Ralph Lauren Polo, Abercrombie & Fitch, Value Pawn, T-Mobile and Home Depot.
The gang was under the direction ofa Colombian citizen who is in the United States illegally, the report said.
Members of the shoplifting ring would stake out stores and, using “booster bags” (bags lined with foil used to bypass security scanners), would load up merchandise while employees weren’t looking and walk out of the store.
At least two people were involved in each theft – one acted as a lookout while the other stole the merchandise, the report said.
In one Victoria’s Secret theft, investigators said three ring members were able to make off with more than $2,000 in panties in about 30 seconds.
Incidents the 14 people are suspected to have participated in took place from September of 2014 to March of 2015.
The suspects are facing numerous felony charges in connection with the thefts.
WFTV
