Walmart Theft Ring Busted In Fredericksburg: Police

STAFFORD, VA—Police busted a theft ring last week that specialized in stealing cell phones from Walmart stores throughout the Fredericksburg area and then selling them to pawn shops, according to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office.

Patrick Robert Hawkins, 18, of Washington DC, was charged with shoplifting, conspiracy, larceny with intent to sell and an enhanced penalty for a larceny third offense. Keely Juanita Johnson, 20, of Fredericksburg, was charged with conspiracy and larceny with intent to sell. Tiearia Monique Laa'sh Bailey, 22, of Spotsylvania, was charged with shoplifting, conspiracy, larceny with intent to sell and obtaining money by false pretenses.

The plot began to unravel with a June 21 theft of more than $1,200 worth of cell phones from the Walmart at 125 Washington Square Plaza.

Police were contacted a few days later and told that around 9 p.m., a man and two women entered the store. The man took a Star Wars "Wookie" mask off the shelf and one of the women grabbed a large black purse. They then went to the store's electronics section and began filling both the mask and the purse with cell phones. They then left in a black car.

Police were able to track them down through video surveillance footage and the license plates on the car. A search found a large amount of cash and various stolen items. Hawkins admitted to being in a shoplifting conspiracy with the two women. Johnson said they had been stealing cell phones from Walmart stores throughout the region, pawning them and then splitting the money.

Photos: Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office