Providence police arrested four men believed to be part of a Venezuelan gang in a significant shoplifting bust.
The suspects were apprehended outside the Providence Place mall on Monday afternoon with approximately $10,000 in stolen stuff in their car, according to Providence Police Cmdr. Timothy O’Hara.
Police said they believe the suspects are linked to a theft ring operating in the Northeast, and they were already on the hunt for them.
O’Hara told NBC 10 News that the stolen products included Victoria’s Secret apparel and sunglasses from another Providence Place store, but investigators are still looking into it.
According to O’Hara, the suspects used bags specifically meant for theft to conceal the products.
According to O’Hara, Cranston police used the Flock camera system to detect the suspects’ vehicle and alerted Providence police to their location in the area.
Cranston police intend to charge several of the same suspects, according to Cranston Chief Michael Winquist.
Winquist told NBC 10 News that the same suspect car was involved in the March 23 theft of over $2,000 in makeup and perfume from an Ulta shop in Garden City.
Cranston police had issued an alert for the car, which was detected on the Flock system for recognizing license plates around 3:15 p.m. Monday, according to Winquist.
A half-hour later, Providence police arrested him outside the mall.
