Staff Reports
BUFORD — Described by police as a “theft crew,” on the afternoon of May 29 five women and one man successfully stole about $2,700 worth of clothing from the Victoria’s Secret located within the Mall of Georgia.
Entering the store in separate groups of two, the suspects were in the store for approximately 40 minutes. “They were carrying bags from various other retailers,” said Cpl. Rundles of the Gwinnett County Police Department. “While they appeared to be shopping, they were removing security tags and concealing items in their bags.”
An employee noticed that all six suspects, though entering the store in pairs a few minutes apart, were interacting with each other during the entire 40 minutes they were in the store. Security footage showed the suspects working together, removing security devices from items and placing the clothing in each other’s bags. One suspect is seen removing security devices and stuffing them in her bra, and later discarding the devices on the floor and onto shelves.
In expert “theft crew” fashion, each suspect eventually purchased an item to give the appearance of legitimate shopping and they each paid with cash, an employee said. The suspects exited the store but did so in different pairs than when they arrived. An employee later found numerous security tags discarded on the floor throughout the store.
The sextet crew consists of a black female with shoulder-length black hair, and tattoos on her chest and right upper arm; a black female with long green hair (an employee said it was “fairly obvious” the hair was a wig) and wearing rainbow slides; an older black female with short hair; two black females each with braided black hair; and a black male with a close-trimmed beard and black dreadlocks pulled into a knot.
A Victoria’s Secret employee said that one of the female suspects attempted to apply for a store credit card, presenting a New York State driver’s license for identification.
“After reviewing surveillance footage,” Cpl. Rundles said, “it was determined that the theft had occurred.” Reasons for the two-month delay in notifying the public are unknown at this time.
If anyone has any information to share in this case, please contact GCPD detectives at 770-513-5300, and refer to case number 19-048837. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrimeATL.com. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.
