9 women charged in Twin Cities shoplifting ring

Published 7:03 am Thursday, January 1, 2015

ST. PAUL — Police say an organized theft ring used Facebook to take “orders” and would fulfill the order by stealing high-end merchandise from big-box stores in the Twin Cities area.

Nine women are facing felony charges in connection with thefts in five counties, including Ramsey and Dakota counties, where the charges were filed. The shoplifters involved in the ring stole about $35,000 in merchandise between September 2012 and June 2014, according to criminal complaints.

The complaints accuse Christina Coombs, 26, and Briana Nichole Jefferson, 22, of often working together and stealing $4,500 in merchandise in their largest haul.

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Sgt. Charles Anderson of the St. Paul Police Department said Coombs told him she built a customer base of about 200 to 300 individuals through word of mouth. Coombs said she mainly took orders and posted stolen items for sale through Facebook, often selling the merchandise for half-price, according to criminal complaints.

Anderson said Jefferson told him in November 2013 that she makes about $30,000 each year from stealing and does so to feed her kids and pay her bills.

An attorney representing Jefferson declined to comment and court records don’t indicate an attorney for Coombs.