TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- Seven people have been arrested after deputies say they tried to steal thousands of dollars worth of items from two Tallahassee home improvement stores.
Lt. James McQuaig with Leon County Sheriff's Office says back in January deputies were called by Loss Prevention personnel from both of the Lowe's Home Improvement stores in Tallahassee.
Deputies say the seven people worked together in a scheme to defraud the Lowe's stores out of more than $5,000.
Those arrested are:
Lesley Young
39 years old
Charges: Grand Theft (7 counts), Felony Theft (2 counts), Dealing in Stolen Property (8 counts),
Organized Scheme to Defraud
Willie Holloway
59 years old
Charges: Grand Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property
Cedric Mills
53 years old
Charges: Grand Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property
Sharon Echols
45 years old
Charges: Grand Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property
Britany Williams
20 years old
Charges: Grand Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property
Charlton Williams
27 years old
Charges: Grand Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property
Octvter Stibbins
39 years old
Charges: Warrants for Grand Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property (In custody in Dade County,
Florida)
Deputies say they believe the scam has been going on since at least November of 2012 when they say Young began visiting the two Lowe's stores. That's when deputies say Young took merchandise off the shelves, going to the customer service counters and obtaining merchandise cards as refunds for returning the items that were never purchased.
According to a release from LCSO: "When store personnel flagged Young's identification for not having proof of purchase for items returned, Young began soliciting others to assist her in the scheme. On twelve occasions between November 2012 and January 2013, Young and another person would enter the stores and continue the thefts with the other person presenting identification each time."
Deputies say using surveillance video they were able to identify the other suspects.
