WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Three Springfield residents were arrested Wednesday night following an alleged organized retail theft at a Home Depot store, according to the West Springfield Police Department.
Police identified the suspects as Tyree Jackson-Woods, 36; Donald Howard, 60; and Charlene Harrison, 39, all of Springfield. The arrests were the result of a long-term investigation and enhanced enforcement efforts under Operation Safe Shopper, a proactive retail crime initiative launched by Police Chief Ronald Gearing.
Authorities said officers were alerted around 7:20 p.m. through the FLOCK Safety license plate recognition system, which detected a white Toyota Camry traveling south on Route 5. The vehicle had previously been flagged for alleged involvement in multiple Home Depot thefts.
Detectives in unmarked vehicles observed the Camry park in the Home Depot lot, followed by a GMC Terrain believed to be linked to other shoplifting cases. Police said one man exited the Terrain and entered the store, followed shortly by a woman who entered from the Camry. Undercover officers followed the suspects inside, based on their familiarity with the group’s alleged theft pattern.
Inside the store, investigators observed Charlene Harrison acting as a lookout while Tyree Jackson-Woods loaded boxes of flooring onto a flatbed cart and staged the merchandise near aisle 14. The flooring was later valued at $866.12, police said.
Authorities reported that Donald Howard then entered the store, went directly to the staged cart and pushed it past all points of sale before exiting into the parking lot. Surveillance footage confirmed the unpaid merchandise was removed from the store.
Detectives arrested Howard outside the store without incident. As officers took him into custody, the Camry attempted to leave the parking lot but was stopped by traffic officers. Harrison, who was driving the vehicle, was arrested at the scene. Jackson-Woods was later found seated inside the GMC Terrain and was also taken into custody.
Jackson-Woods faces charges of shoplifting over $250 and conspiracy. Howard is charged with shoplifting by asportation over $250 (second offense) and conspiracy, while Harrison is charged with shoplifting by asportation over $250 and conspiracy.
All three suspects were transported to the West Springfield Police Department for booking.
