Theft ring stole $178,000 in merchandise from Walmarts, accused of thefts in SC

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Seven people are accused of participating in a massive organized theft ring that spanned 26 counties in Florida, including six here in the Tampa Bay area. The group is also accused of thefts in Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina.

Investigators say the suspects stole $178,929.25 worth of merchandise from Walmarts during the 135 thefts. Polk County detectives helped uncover the operation.

The investigation began in 2014 when the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Organized Retail Crimes Unit received a tip about an organized retail crimes group committing early morning thefts of electronics and merchandise at multiple Wal-Mart stores throughout Polk County.

PCSO detectives, worked with detectives with the Tarpon Springs Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies.

“These suspects made a living systematically stealing. Retail theft is a serious problem in Polk County and in Florida. This isn’t just shoplifting; this is an organized racketeering business that costs retailers and consumers millions of dollars every year,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “Walmart doesn’t incur that cost. You do as the consumer.”

Investigators say the suspects traveled in pairs or small groups. They would commit “push outs” or “box stuffing” focusing mainly on stealing high-end electronics.

A “push out” is when a thief conceals items in a purse or bag and leaves the store without paying. “Box stuffing” is when a thief hides high-end items in a box, and pays at the register, with the box containing the concealed merchandise.

“They would stuff electronics in boxes of diapers and go through and pay for the box of diapers,” Sheriff Judd said. “They are experienced criminals and they are organized to steal.”

From September 11, 2014 to June 22, 2015, the suspects traveled to 26 different counties within the State of Florida: Walton, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Escambia, Leon, Columbia, Suwannee, Duval, Hernando, Citrus, Pinellas, Pasco, Volusia, Alachua, Osceola, Orange, Polk, De Soto, Manatee, Hillsborough, Bay, Brevard, Seminole, St. Lucie, and Charlotte. 25 thefts were documented in Georgia.

Seven suspects have been identified. Investigators say more people may have been involved. Jaron Scott, Johnecia Holmes, Samaria Gay, and Marquishia Edwards have all been arrested and are in the Polk County Jail.

$2,000 Crimestoppers rewards are being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the following suspects who are at large: Vincenia Tumblin, age 46, who may be in the Tampa area, Ke’Chelle Roberts, age 23, and Arkeem Woods, age 23, who may be in Jacksonville, Florida.

The charges filed by the Statewide Prosecutor are: Racketeering, a 1st Degree Felony; Conspiracy to Engage in Racketeering, a 1st Degree Felony; Grand Theft, a 3rd Degree Felony; and Conspiracy to Commit Grand Theft, a 2nd Degree Felony.Here is a list of the thefts at Polk County Walmarts:Oct. 13, 2014: Wal-Mart store #725, 36205 U.S. Highway 27, Haines City, FL. (1:50 a.m.)

Suspects: Wesley Gregory Walker, Samaria Alatheya Gay, Vincenia Anquise Tumblin and an unidentified black male were observed defeating one or more anti-theft security devices and concealed approximately $1,731 of electronic merchandise and left the store without paying.Oct. 13, 2014: Wal-Mart store #718, 2120 U.S. Highway 92 W., Auburndale, FL. (3:19 a.m.)

Suspects: Wesley Gregory Walker, Samaria Alatheya Gay, Vincenia Anquise Tumblin and unidentified male were observed proceeding to the electronics department, and defeating one or more anti-theft security devices. The group concealed approximately $1,500 of electronic merchandise into oversized purses and left the store.Oct. 13, 2014: Wal-Mart store #779, 3501 South Florida Avenue, Lakeland, FL. (4:45 a.m.)

Suspects: Wesley Gregory Walker, Samaria Alatheya Gay, Vincenia Anquise Tumblin and Jaron Tyrone Scott were observed entering the store and subsequently proceeding to the electronics department, where they defeated one or more anti-theft security devices. The group concealed approximately $2,105 of electronic merchandise into oversized purse(s). They then left the store, stealing the merchandise.Oct. 13, 2014: Wal-Mart store #1245, 5800 U.S. Highway 98 N., Lakeland, FL. (5 a.m.)

Suspects: Wesley Gregory Walker, Samaria Alatheya Gay, Vincenia Anquise Tumblin and Jaron Tyrone Scott. Members of the group were observed proceeding to the electronics department, defeated one or more anti-theft security devices, and concealed approximately $1,449 of electronic merchandise into oversized purse(s). They then exited the store, bypassing all points-of-sale without making an effort to pay for said merchandise.May 7, 2014: Wal-Mart store #725, 36205 U.S. Highway 27, Haines City, FL. (1:54 a.m.)

Suspects: Wesley Gregory Walker, Jaron Tyrone Scott, Vincenia Anquise Tumblin and Marquishia Ardajia Edwards were observed entering the store and subsequently proceeding to the electronics department, where Wesley Gregory Walker defeated one or more anti-theft security devices. The group concealed approximately $1,676.39 of electronic merchandise inside a diaper pail box (UPC #073528210600). They then purchased the diaper pail box during transaction #6456 with a Wal-Mart shopping card. They then exited the store with the merchandise concealed inside the box, bypassing all points-of-sale and without making an effort to pay for said merchandise.May 7, 2015: Wal-Mart store #968, 355 Cypress Gardens Boulevard, Winter Haven, FL. (2:40 a.m.)

Suspects: Wesley Gregory Walker, Jaron Tyrone Scott, Vincenia Anquise Tumblin and Marquishia Ardajia Edwards were observed via CCTV entering the store and subsequently proceeding to the electronics department, where Wesley Gregory Walker defeated one or more anti-theft security devices. They concealed approximately $779.48 of electronic merchandise inside a diaper pail box (UPC #073528210600). They then proceeded to a register and purchased the diaper pail box with U.S. currency. They then left bypassing all points-of-sale and without making an effort to pay for electronics merchandise.May 7, 2015: Wal-Mart store #718, 2120 U.S. Highway 92 W., Auburndale, FL. (3:19 a.m.)

Suspects: Wesley Gregory Walker, Jaron Tyrone Scott, Vincenia Anquise Tumblin and Marquishia Ardajia Edwards were observed entering the store and subsequently proceeding to the electronics department, where Wesley Gregory Walker defeated one or more anti-theft security devices. They were observed concealing approximately $372.69 of electronic merchandise inside a diaper pail box (UPC #073528210600). They then purchased the diaper pail box during transaction #511 with a Wal-Mart shopping card. They then exited the store, bypassing all points-of-sale and without making an effort to pay for the electronics merchandise.May 7, 2015: Wal-Mart store #580, 1050 E. Van Fleet Drive, Bartow, FL. (4 a.m.)

Suspects: Wesley Gregory Walker, Jaron Tyrone Scott, Vincenia Anquise Tumblin and Marquishia Ardajia Edwards were observed entering the store and subsequently proceeding to the electronics department, where Wesley Gregory Walker defeated one or more anti-theft security devices. The group concealed $975.56 of electronic merchandise inside a diaper pail. A manager observed two of the suspects concealing the merchandise inside the empty box, and staging it back atop a shelf. That box was retrieved by the store manager and the concealed merchandise subsequently located inside. They were not successful in stealing the merchandise.May 7, 2015: Wal-Mart store #779, 3501 S. Florida Avenue, Lakeland, FL. (5:31 a.m.)

Suspects: Wesley Gregory Walker, Jaron Tyrone Scott, Vincenia Anquise Tumblin and Marquishia Ardajia Edwards were observed entering the store and subsequently proceeding to the electronics department, where Wesley Gregory Walker defeated one or more anti-theft security devices. The group concealed approximately $1,246 of electronic merchandise inside a diaper pail box (UPC #073528210600). The group then purchased the diaper pail box with a Wal-Mart shopping. They then exited the store with the merchandise concealed inside the box, bypassing all points-of-sale and without making an effort to pay for the electronic merchandise.