Four women from Brooklyn are charged with shoplifting at a New Jersey mall on Friday.
Coordinated shoplifting spree at Paramus mall stores
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According to Paramus police, they took thousands of dollars in apparel from the Lululemon, Aritzia, and SKIMS stores at the Westfield Garden State Plaza Mall.
Around 4:30 p.m. on April 3, Paramus police detectives were summoned by loss prevention at Lululemon. The store employee stated that they witnessed a woman hiding merchandise in the store.
According to authorities, the suspicious woman left Lululemon and met up with three other women at the mall. The group then dispersed and headed to various stores.
Foil used to beat anti-theft devices
Detectives first confronted Nyasia Ray, 23, as she was leaving SKIMS. Ray attempted to flee, but police say she was apprehended with nine pieces of stolen apparel from all three establishments. According to authorities, the Lululemon item was wrapped in aluminum foil to avoid detection by anti-theft systems.
Detectives then proceeded in search of the remaining women. Police claimed Amyia Russell, 27, and Shkyra Hale, 24, were caught with hundreds of dollars in stolen property. Another cop apprehended Skylar James, 25, outside the mall. Police said she had more stolen garments and a magnet that might overcome anti-theft devices.
Arrests made, suspects released pending court
Police claimed they recovered $2,719 in stolen clothing and other items. The four women are all charged with third-degree possession of stolen items. Ray and James are also charged with possessing an anti-shoplifting device, which is a disorderly people offense.
The four accused were released pending court hearings on the morning of April 17.
The characteristics of Friday’s alleged stealing plot are similar to thefts discovered at the same mall in December. According to Paramus police, four ladies were caught in two separate heists, including the use of foil to beat anti-theft devices.
