Eleven people in Chatham County have been charged in connection to a massive retail crime scheme across four states.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said the Organized Retail Crime Unit secured an indictment for nearly a dozen individuals who targeted 10 stores across Georgia, Florida, South Carolina and Virginia. Law enforcement believes total losses amount to over $200,000.
Shawntavius Shanell Butler, Rashamel Okuise Gardner, Eugene Edward Sibert, Lakytra Marie Gardner, Deaunbrey Antonio Gardner, Dominique A. Giles, Jr., Zyquie Hakeem Gardner, Javari Javontay Romain Larry, Shi’heed Ja’mill Small, Cedric Latroy Gardner of Savannah and Jasmonique Lavon Franklin of Pooler are all allegedly part of the enterprise and racketeering conspiracy,
according to a press release from the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Georgia.
“Organized retail crime poses a significant threat to our state, leading to billions in lost revenue, thousands of lost jobs, and increased violence against employees,” said Carr in the press release. “That’s exactly why we created Georgia’s first statewide Organized Retail Crime Unit, so we could work with all levels of law enforcement to protect businesses and consumers, and this case is just the latest example. If you target our retailers, we’re coming for you, and we will ensure that you’re prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The defendants are accused of stealing items from beauty store Ulta, Bath and Body Works, The Home Depot and Walmart from October 2022 to September 2026. Counties affected in Georgia include Bibb, Bulloch, Chatham, Cobb and Liberty, to name a few.
The defendants allegedly stole paint, household fixtures, electronics, perfumes, cologne, diamond rings and more during the four-year span.
Savannah Police Department, Chatham County Police, Pooler Police and multiple law enforcement agencies in Florida and Virginia assisted Carr's office in the investigation.
“This case involved a tremendous amount of collaboration and teamwork across multiple agencies,” said Chief Lenny B. Gunther of the Savannah Police Department in a press release. “I couldn’t be prouder of the outstanding work of SPD’s officers and that of our state and local law enforcement partners.”
Businesses in Georgia lose more than $3 billion in retail theft per year, to include $1.6 billion in stolen goods and $326 in lost tax revenue and 17,000 jobs, according to the press release.
Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Eleven Chatham County residents charged in massive retail theft scheme
