Organized shoplifting gang busted at HEB this week

An international shoplifting gang was busted in Austin this week after a six-week sting by local police.

The seven-person shoplifting crew allegedly stole more than $50,000 worth of laundry detergent, batteries, and other basic household items from area HEB and Target stores.

Police say the ringleader of the shoplifting crew was paying cash for stolen items.  She then either resold them at local flea markets or transported the goods to Mexico for resale.
HEB says they lost $10,000 in shampoo bottles during January 2012 alone, according to an affidavit filed by the grocery chain.

Readers have occasionally commented over on the San Antonio Budget Grocery Facebook page that they are seeing more loss prevention employees greeting shoppers in both area Target and HEB stores.  I guess now we know why.

I also think it's interesting that people were stealing items like shampoo and cosmetics that can be snagged for free or nearly free with couponing.  The moral of the story?  You can avoid pesky little things like felony theft charges just by keeping up with your weekly coupon inserts!

See a photo of the shoplifting haul over at the Huffington Post right now.

Check out other crazy coupon fraud and shoplifting cases here.

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