Connect with us

Headlines

Father-Daughter Duo Sentenced After Pleading Guilty to $6M Shoplifting Scheme

They hired an “army” of thieves, then flipped the stolen goods online.

mm

Published

on

A father and daughter who ran an organized retail crime ring for nearly a decade received jail sentences and were ordered to pay millions in restitution, MarketWatch reports.

According to the article, the duo hired an “army of professional shoplifters” to steal millions of dollars in merchandise, purchased the stolen goods from the thieves, and then sold the goods online using various platforms including Amazon Marketplace and Walmart Marketplace, as well as their own websites.

In total, Robert Whitley, 70, and his daughter, Noni Whitley, 47, organized the theft of $6.1 million worth of merchandise from retailers such as CVS, Walgreens, Target, Kroger and Publix.

They were arrested in 2019 and pleaded guilty in April to interstate transportation of stolen property. Prosecutors called the operation a “well-organized criminal enterprise disguised as an apparently legitimate small business.”

On Tuesday, Robert Whitley was sentenced to five years and 10 months, and Noni Whitley was sentenced to five years. They must also pay $4.35 million in restitution.

Read more at MarketWatch.

Advertisement

Over the years, INSTORE has won 80 international journalism awards for its publication and website. Contact INSTORE's editors at editor@instoremag.com.

Advertisement

SPONSORED VIDEO

Wilkerson Testimonials

Wilkerson: “They Feel Like Family”

Newton’s Jewelers in Fort Smith, Ark., was a true institution. But after being at the helm for most of his life, owner (and descendent of the original founder) Kelly Newton decided it was time to retire. He chose Wilkerson to handle the sale. “I’ve known the owners of Wilkerson for a long, long time. I felt at home with them,” he says. The final retirement sale was just a “blast” and the Wilkerson sales team made it so very simple and straightforward, says Newton. Would he recommend Wilkerson to others? Absolutely. “They’ve done incredible work,” says Newton. “They feel like family.”

Promoted Headlines

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe


BULLETINS

INSTORE helps you become a better jeweler
with the biggest daily news headlines and useful tips.
(Mailed 5x per week.)

Facebook

Latest Comments

Most Popular