$850K Stolen In 'Theft-Return Scheme' By PA Organized Crime: Attorney General

A criminal organization made $850,000 in illegal profits in a sophisticated theft-return scheme targeting TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, and Marshalls stores, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office said.

TJ Maxx, 1130 Market St, Philadelphia (top). Marshalls and HomeGoods, 1356 Franklin Mills Circle, Philadelphia (bottom).
Photo Credit: *Google Maps/Street View*

Merriell Moyer

10/28/2024 4:44 p.m.

Nine people involved with the Philadelphia-based organization, which has been in operation since 2022, were arrested and charged with numerous felonies, according to a Thursday, Oct. 24 news release from the attorney general.

Davon Whitfield, 40, of Roslyn; Naima Scott, 47, of Abington; and Zonay Griffin, 26, all of Philadelphia, were named as the leaders who personally made about 1,500 transactions worth more than $700,000 in payouts, the news release states.

Six other alleged members of the organization were charged, including: Shakeira Vivan, Miara Armstead, Harry Anderson, Lamar Washington, Jasmine Reese, and Myles Hartman, according to the news release.

Several methods were used to take advantage of return policies at TJX Companies stores in the Philadelphia area, including TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, HomeSense, and Sierra, the news release states. More than 1,000 store locations in nine different states were targeted, with most of the transactions happening in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Most of these transactions began with the theft of merchandise, which were then returned for store credit, according to the news release. Then a member of the organization manipulated the return policy to have refunds applied directly to their debit cards.

Whitfield, Scott, and Griffin were each charged with Felony:

Corrupt Organizations.
Conspiracy Racketeering.
Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities.
Organized Retail Theft.
Theft by Unlawful Taking - Movable Property.
Theft by Deception - False Impression.
Receiving Stolen Property.
Forgery - Alter Writing.
Criminal Use of Communication Facility.

All three also received related felony conspiracy charges, according to court documents.

Whitfield and Griffon are each being held in Montgomery County Prison on $25,000 bail, court documents state. Scott was released on $100,000 unsecured bail.

Whitfield, Scott, and Griffin have their preliminary hearings scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 7, according to court documents.

Scott and Griffin have several past offenses related to retail theft, court documents state. Whitfield was charged multiple times in the past for Robbery and related charges.

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