VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A retail theft ring responsible for stealing and reselling tens of thousands of dollars' worth of merchandise in Volusia and Seminole counties' stores was dismantled Tuesday after a multi-agency investigation, authorities said.
The investigation began after a tip from an angry girlfriend in March and resulted in four arrests Tuesday and the recovery of boxes filled with suspected stolen goods.
Officials arrested Constantine "Mike" Joseph, 53, and Sherry Laizer, 48, on accusations that they sold about $75,000 in stolen merchandise between January and March.
Laurie Ashley, Joseph's girlfriend, called deputies and said she was upset that he'd taken advantage of her and she wanted to talk about his illegal racket. She said he enlisted boosters to steal items from retail stores, bought the items and resold them in his eBay store.
Ashley said the stolen items included Fitbit fitness trackers, perfume and cologne, printer ink cartridges, electric toothbrushes, thumb drives, over-the-counter medications and various health and beauty products.
She said Matthew Boals, 36, accused of being a booster, was confronted by security while trying to steal Fitbits from the Volusia Mall, but had his coat pulled off while he ran away. Daytona Beach police said his phone was found in the coat.
Investigators said Ashley reconciled with Joseph and stopped talking to authorities.
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Boals confessed to stealing and said got $30 per stolen Fitbit from Laizer, who was working with Joseph to sell them online, according to detectives. Boals said he had been participating in the theft ring for two years.
Volusia County deputies determined that the Volusia Mall JCPenney
’s
store lost $45,000 to $50,000 worth of perfume and cologne over the last year. Investigators contacted Joseph’s probation officer, who said he noticed a cabinet of packaged printer ink cartridges when he visited Joseph’s home.
Investigators determined that the suspects were paying cash or trading prescription pills for stolen items and speaking in code about the thefts over the phone.
Investigators formed “Operation Fitbit” in an effort to bring down the ring by selling stolen merchandise to the suspects. Laizer and Joseph bought several items that were provided by retailers and paid in cash, pills and a scratch-off lottery ticket, according to investigators.
Joseph and Laizer were charged with racketeering, organized dealing in stolen property and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Ashley was charged with grand theft. Robert Harrell, an accused member of the ring, was charged with grand theft and had two outstanding warrants for theft.
Officials said the investigation is continuing and additional arrests are possible.
Cox Media Group
