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The ring's operation first came to light in Fairfield County in October when three suspects allegedly stole merchandise from the Ralph Lauren Store in New Canaan, stealing more than $300 worth of goods, said New Canaan Police Department Lt. Jason Ferraro.
The group would operate by pulling up in front of the store in a no parking zone and the suspects, sometimes two woman and male, and other times a man and a woman, would walk into the businesses and grab multiple items and then run out of the store and jump into the waiting vehicle, police said.
The New Canaan Ralph Lauren store was hit three additional times with a total of more than $11,000 in merchandise taken, Ferraro said.
During an Oct. 13 attempted theft at the store, an officer working security approached a man and a woman who entered the Ralph Lauren store and approached the couple, who immediately ran out of the store and jumped into the waiting vehicle.
The vehicle took off at a high rate of speed and when they spotted a New Canaan police car the vehicle allegedly drove straight for the police car and slammed into the vehicle and then drove away.
The vehicle was found running at an area home, but the suspects were not inside and police could not locate the suspects, Ferraro said.
As a result of the thefts the New Canaan Police along with departments in New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, formed a task force to nab the group.
During the investigation, Aysia Ryan, 20, of Windsor, Connecticut, was identified as a suspect and an arrest warrant was issued, police said.
On Wednesday, Ryan was allegedly involved in a pursuit in Massachusetts and was captured by police.
New Canaan Police traveled to take custody of Ryan on Thursday, Dec. 12, where she was charged with two counts of larceny, and two counts of conspiracy to commit larceny.
She was released after posting a $25,000 bond.
Ferraro said the investigation found that the group has allegedly stolen more than $90,000 in the multi-state thefts.
Additional arrests are expected.
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