SPRING HILL, Tenn. (WKRN) — Authorities took down an alleged gang of retail thieves in the middle of Spring Hill’s shopping district Tuesday afternoon.
It all began when loss prevention officers contacted the Spring Hill Police Department (SHPD) about a group of people reportedly seen shoplifting at local stores.
Law enforcement found the suspects in a Chevy Malibu rental car with Florida plates on Main Street. The vehicle was stuck in traffic, so officers decided to execute a felony takedown.
Body camera footage from Tuesday, Feb. 25 shows police surrounding the car and ordering the Alabama residents out of the vehicle one at a time.
The two adult suspects were identified as Darrel Tolbert, 20, of Camden, and Montae Tolar, 19, of Moody. Authorities also arrested a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old, both from Montgomery.
“The felony stop is the preferred method. You walk people back from the car, they come out one by one, you can control the situation,” SHPD Lt. Mike Foster said.
Once all the suspects were secured, officers approached the vehicle cautiously, with weapons at the ready. They opened the trunk and found stolen items from local retailers.
Police found a security tag removal device on one of the men. This device is commonly used in stores to remove security devices from clothes or other merchandise once they’re purchased.
Law enforcement also seized a Glock handgun with a high capacity magazine.
“Just goes to show you never know what you’re going to find in these traffic stops. People that commit organized retail thefts oftentimes are armed, oftentimes they expect confrontation with the police and they want to get away,” Foster explained.
Officials told News 2 that loss prevention officers were instrumental in getting SHPD officers the information that led to these arrests.
Montgomery is approximately 3.5 hours from Spring Hill, but police said it’s not uncommon for thieves working with a syndicate to drive long distances to commit crimes.
“They don’t commit crimes in their home area. They branch out to neighboring states to avoid detection, people who don’t know who they are, so they’ll drive an hour and a half away, commit crimes, and then come back,” Foster said.
The members of the group are facing multiple charges, including organized retail crime, criminal conspiracy, possession of burglary tools, and shoplifting. The two adults were taken to the Williamson County Jail while the two minors were brought to a juvenile detention center.
Authorities told News 2 the group is suspected of committing felony theft at Target, Walmart, and possibly Publix, adding that other law enforcement agencies are interested in talking to SHPD investigators about the individuals.
