Organized retail theft ring busted in Lafayette

LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – Lafayette Police bust an organized retail theft ring. The crew of four is accused of jumping from store to store and stealing merchandise.

An organized retail theft ring targets specific stores for particular items. According to police, four suspects started their shoplifting spree at Academy Sports on Louisiana Avenue over the weekend. "Flame retardant clothing are the items that they were basically concealing and stealing from these stores," LPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Robin Green stated.

Loss prevention caught the suspects in the act and approached them, asking if they needed help. Police say the suspects stopped, dropped the items, and walked out. The accused thieves become targets of law enforcement. 

Police say they obtained the suspect's license plate numbers, and the sheriff's office had their Real Time Crime Center. "So with the sheriff's assistance we were able to locate the vehicle and make the arrests," Green added.

The suspects are also accused of hitting up the store on Ambassador Caffery Parkway as well. "During the investigation of our first call, it came over the radio that another officer was taking a call of a report in reference to the same individuals who went previously to the Academy Store located on Ambassador Caffrey and stole the same types of items," Green noted.

Police arrested Danielle Chratain, 37, Kiatasha Gums, 35 and Regnia George, 41 of Texas was also arrested. "These individuals hit both of our stores. While doing an inventory of the vehicle, we also located items that were stolen out of the Lake Charles Academy Sports store as well," Green said.

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