WATAUGA, Texas — A North Texas man, Winston Love, 28, has been arrested for allegedly committing 23 retail thefts across multiple cities, primarily targeting Target stores.
Police took Love into custody without incident on Friday, October 31, following a brief standoff at a residence where he was staying.
Authorities first responded to a theft report at the Target store on 8000 Denton Highway around 5 p.m. Love is suspected of carrying out at least 23 thefts at Target locations in Dallas, Watauga, Irving, Plano, Fort Worth, Flower Mound, Lewisville, Frisco, Grapevine, Euless, Arlington, Mansfield, Temple, and Harker Heights over the past two months. Many of the stolen items were Lego products, with total losses estimated at over $37,000.
Watauga Police believe Love is connected to a larger organized retail theft ring operating in Texas and Oklahoma.
Love faces a State Jail Felony Theft charge and has eight outstanding felony warrants for theft-related crimes in Tarrant, Dallas, and Rockwall Counties. He was initially taken to the North Richland Hills Detention Center and later booked into Tarrant County Jail; his bond has not yet been set.
On November 1, officers executed a search warrant at Love’s residence, recovering additional stolen merchandise, illegal narcotics, a vehicle, and approximately $5,000 in cash.
“This case highlights the excellent work and collaboration between our officers and regional law enforcement partners,” said Watauga Police Chief James R. Lewis III. “Their swift actions and thorough investigation not only led to the arrest of a serial offender but also to the recovery of stolen property.”
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities say additional charges may be filed as evidence is processed.
