2 Abington Residents Led Retail Theft Ring That Targeted 1K Stores: AG

EASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA —Two Abington Township residents have been charged as leaders of an organized retail ring that targeted 1,000 stores in nine states with most of the crimes in southeastern Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia region, authorities said.

Attorney General Michelle Henry, along with the Pennsylvania State Police, announced charges against the three alleged leaders of an organized retail theft crew who stole merchandise, altered receipts, and made returns at TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, and Marshalls stores, resulting in more than $850,000 in payouts.

The alleged leaders are Davon Whitfield, 40, of Roslyn; Naima Scott, 47, of Abington; and Zonay Griffin, 26, of Philadelphia.

They are charged with numerous felonies, including corrupt organizations, organized retail theft, forgery, and conspiracy, authorities said.

The organization used several methods to take advantage of return policies at TJX Companies stores — which include T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, HomeSense, and Sierra. Most of the transactions began with the theft of items, which were ultimately returned.

“This was a sophisticated, highly profitable scheme involving hundreds of transactions circumventing return policies — but make no mistake about it, this conduct is theft,” Henry said. “I want to thank our partners with the Pennsylvania State Police and my staff for conducting a thorough investigation, as well as the dedicated work of the grand jurors.”

Most of the transactions began with the theft of items or merchandise, which were then returned for store credit, authorities said.

Typically, the defendants then made purchases with that store credit and manipulated the return policy to have refunds applied to the defendants’ debit cards.

Whitfield, Scott, and Griffin made about 1,500 transactions worth more than $700,000 in payouts, authorities said.

The Office of Attorney General’s Organized Retail Crime Unit and the Pennsylvania State Police’s Organized Crime Unit collaborated on the investigation, which led to Grand Jury proceedings in recent months.

The collaborative investigation led to a presentment from the 50th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury and charges against nine individuals, in all, who allegedly participated in the complicated fraud and theft scheme since 2022.

"These crimes affect not only retailers but the communities they serve. Retail theft harms us all by driving up the prices of essential goods," said PSP Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris. "The Pennsylvania State Police and our law enforcement partners are dedicated to protecting our communities from the selfish acts of those who seek financial gain from crimes like this."

Six other alleged members of the organization are charged: Shakeira Vivan, Miara Armstead, Harry Anderson, Lamar Washington, Jasmine Reese, and Myles Hartman.