EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) — Two suspects were captured in Edmond Thursday, connected to a nationwide theft ring that has allegedly stolen millions of dollars’ worth of electronics.
In a coordinated effort, Edmond Police set up a sting operation that led to the capture of two suspects, while Oklahoma City Police arrested six more individuals on the same day. The theft ring is believed to have been involved in stealing iPhones and other electronics, amounting to nearly $7 million.
“These suspects appear to be from out of town, and they may be part of a much larger scheme,” said Sgt. Dillion Quirk of the Oklahoma City Police Department (OKCPD).
The thieves were primarily responsible for porch thefts, targeting expensive electronics. “They’re responsible for millions of dollars worth of theft across the United States,” said Emily Ward, an Edmond Police spokesperson.
The sting operation in Edmond took place in the Timberdale neighborhood, near Danforth Road and Broadway. Police had received information that deliveries of electronics were scheduled to arrive, and the suspects were expected to target them.
“Our detectives had information about the deliveries, and they were sitting on the house where the items were expected,” Ward explained. When the package was delivered, the suspects quickly made their move.
After spotting police, the suspects attempted to flee. “It was a short pursuit through the neighborhood,” Ward said. The chase ended when the two suspects bailed out of the vehicle and ran on foot. One was apprehended immediately, while the second was caught after several hours of searching.
The investigation continues, and there are still several unknowns about how the thieves knew exactly when and where the electronics were being delivered. “It’s unclear how they learned which phones were going to which residents, but they knew the time and location of these deliveries,” Quirk added.
With the holiday season approaching, police are urging people to take extra precautions when receiving online orders at home, especially as porch piracy tends to increase during this time.
