Four suspects were arrested last week following a coordinated retail theft of nearly $15,000 in merchandise from grocery stores, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) reported.
On Wednesday, June 18th, deputies responded to a theft-in-progress call at a King Soopers on South Quebec Street in Highlands Ranch. The suspects included two adult women and two juveniles, all linked to a previous felony theft at another King Soopers in Centennial.
Upon arrival, deputies detained the minivan driver, 37-year-old Gabi Maria Lautaru, who was believed to be acting as a lookout. Lautaru reportedly alerted the other suspects inside the store, causing them to abandon stolen goods, mostly makeup.
Deputies recovered $9,600 worth of stolen merchandise at the Highlands Ranch location and found an additional $5,000 in stolen makeup inside the minivan, believed to be from the earlier Centennial theft.
The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation following the arrests. The two adults were booked into jail, and the juveniles were placed in custody at the Foote Youth Services Center.
The suspects face charges of theft, conspiracy, and concealment of goods, while Lautaru also faces charges for contributing to the delinquency of minors. The investigation is ongoing.
