FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — It took seven people, 15 seconds and a fire extinguisher. With that, a seven-person crew from Pennsylvania made off with more than $60,000 in luxury goods from the Chanel store in the posh Tysons Galleria mall in northern Virginia back in June.
With organized retail theft a problem receiving increased attention nationwide, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis knows his wealthy northern Virginia jurisdiction is a target. “I think it makes us very vulnerable. It’s not news to anyone that Fairfax County has a really world-class retail community,” Davis said.
“That’s one of the reasons why our commitment to safety is so high.” On Thursday, Davis highlighted recent successes the county has had in fighting those thefts. At a news conference, he announced the arrest of the alleged getaway driver in the Chanel heist, as well as arrest warrants for two others.
He also posted video and screen grabs of four other suspects in the theft, which he hopes will lead to further arrests Video of the theft shows one of the suspects spraying a fire extinguisher at a security guard as they enter the store. Charges against the suspects include assault with a caustic substance for discharging the fire extinguisher. Police also announced arrests related to a separate crew that has targeted high-end retail stores in seven different states on both coasts.
Deputy Police Chief Gregory Fried said members of this crew are responsible for at least $170,000 in losses acro.