Police dismantle 'Diaper Crew' accused of over 2 dozen retail thefts in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA - Authorities in Philadelphia arrested three people who they say were linked to more than two dozen retail thefts around the city.
Inspector Ray Evers told reporters Friday that members of the "Diaper Crew" targeted Family Dollar, Dollar General and Rite Aid stores around the city.
Investigators say the suspects are accused of sneaking large bags into the stores and using them to take diapers, batteries and coffee.
Daquon Johnson, 26, Byron Prince, 23, and Lytrell Scott, 23.
"They were taking shelf-loads of diapers, hundreds at a time," said Evers at a press conference on Friday.
MORE HEADLINES
- Bodycam footage shows police exchange gunfire with armed man inside New Jersey home
- Philly rapper Mia ‘Petty Levels’ Bennett dies at 23, record label reports
- Suspicious man knocking on doors overnight in Chester County sought: police
Authorities credited an app that connects police with retail store owners around the city for helping authorities hone in on the suspects.
Evers said police put information on the app about the pattern of robberies and heard from other stores that had been hit "within hours."
Featured
Organized retail crime explosion prompts city, suburbs to coordinate responses in crack down of thefts
Organized retail theft, smash and grab, takeovers — this type of crime has been around for years, but it’s reached unprecedented levels. City officials are now partnering with law enforcement in the suburbs to crack down on this crime.
Police acted on that information and on July 14 arrested three group members during an attempted robbery at Dollar General in Juniata Park.
Daquan Johnson, the 26-year-old suspected ringleader, was arrested on Wednesday along with 23-year-old Jordan Prince and 25-year-old Lytrell Scott.
Assistant District Attorney Kim Esack stated, "They’re not stealing to eat or feed their families or for other resources. They’re doing it as a business."
Johnson, according to Evers, was given $250K bail. Police are working with the attorney of an unnamed fourth suspect who is expected to turn himself in.