BALTIMORE, MD – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced yesterday the indictment of four individuals involved in an organized retail crime operation responsible for approximately $800,000 in thefts across six Maryland counties. The group’s criminal activities targeted multiple retail stores, including high-end retailers, resulting in significant losses for businesses in the region.
The investigation, led by the Gaithersburg and Montgomery County Police Departments, uncovered a pattern of thefts involving the suspects over several months. The four individuals charged in connection with the crime ring are:
- Donte Bernard Shaw, 34, of Washington D.C.
- Taquan Anthony Neal, 25, of District Heights, MD
- Antonio William Polite, 35, of Hyattsville, MD
- Samuel Cordell Whitmire Jr., 29, of Alexandria, VA
All four defendants face charges of participating in a criminal organization, theft schemes totaling over $100,000, conspiracy to commit theft, second-degree burglary, and multiple instances of theft and burglary. Shaw is also charged with the illegal possession of a regulated firearm.
According to the indictment, the defendants, along with other members of their criminal network, committed at least 37 thefts at various retail stores between September 2023 and the present. The organization targeted high-end products, including designer sunglasses, prescription glasses, perfumes, and name-brand clothing, which were then resold through online marketplaces and in-person transactions.
The stolen goods were primarily taken from well-known retailers such as Sunglass Hut, Ulta Beauty, LensCrafters, GameStop, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Perfumania. The group often employed a “flash mob” style approach to theft, overwhelming store employees by rushing into stores and quickly filling bags with merchandise before fleeing. The group also conducted burglaries outside of business hours, repeatedly targeting the same stores.
Attorney General Brown emphasized the broader impact of these crimes, stating, “Organized retail crimes are not victimless. Stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from businesses can lead to higher prices for products that Marylanders need, and cost hardworking employees their jobs.”
The case was a collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Gaithersburg Police Department, the Montgomery County Police Department, and other local police forces across Maryland. “This case highlights the importance of collaboration in addressing organized retail crime, which not only impacts businesses but also threatens the safety of our communities,” said Chief Marc Yamada of the Montgomery County Police Department.
The defendants will be prosecuted in the Circuit Court for Howard County. Attorney General Brown thanked the prosecutors and the various law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation for their dedication and teamwork in bringing the criminal organization to justice.
As with all criminal cases, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
