Four charged in $800,000 retail theft scheme across six maryland counties

BALTIMORE, MD — Four men have been indicted for their roles in an organized retail crime ring accused of committing 37 thefts across six Maryland counties, resulting in approximately $800,000 in losses, Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced Monday. The crimes, described as “flash mob” style thefts, targeted stores during business hours and involved high-value goods such as designer sunglasses and perfumes.

The defendants—Donte Bernard Shaw, 34, of Washington, D.C.; Taquan Anthony Neal, 25, of District Heights, Maryland; Antonio William Polite, 35, of Hyattsville, Maryland; and Samuel Cordell Whitmire, Jr., 29, of Alexandria, Virginia—are charged with multiple offenses. These include participation in a criminal organization, theft schemes exceeding $100,000, second-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit theft, and individual counts of theft and burglary. Shaw faces an additional charge of illegal possession of a regulated firearm.

Authorities allege the group began its activities in September 2023, targeting retail stores in Howard, Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Queen Anne’s, and Prince George’s Counties. Businesses hit by the thefts include Sunglass Hut, Ulta Beauty, GameStop, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Prosecutors say the group overwhelmed store employees by entering in large numbers, quickly filling bags with merchandise, and fleeing. Some thefts reportedly occurred outside business hours through burglaries.

“Organized retail crimes are not victimless,” Attorney General Brown said in a statement. “Stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from businesses can lead to higher prices for products that Marylanders need, and cost hardworking employees their jobs.”

The stolen goods were allegedly sold both in-person and through online marketplaces, according to investigators. Law enforcement from the Gaithersburg and Montgomery County Police Departments led the investigation, with assistance from multiple agencies. “An investigation of this magnitude requires significant effort and collaboration,” Gaithersburg Police Chief Mark Sorka said.

The cases will be prosecuted in Howard County Circuit Court.

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