(WNY News Now) – Three alleged leaders and six other suspects are charged in an organized retail theft ring accused of stealing $850,000 from T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods through an elaborate return-fraud scheme spanning 1,000 stores across nine states.
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced charges on Thursday, October 24, 2024, against three alleged leaders of an organized retail theft ring that authorities say manipulated return policies to generate nearly $850,000 in payouts from major retailers. The ring primarily operated in southeastern Pennsylvania, affecting over a thousand store locations across nine states.
The accused leaders, Davon Whitfield, 40, of Roslyn; Naima Scott, 47, of Abington; and Zonay Griffin, 26, of Philadelphia, along with six additional suspects, allegedly executed a series of fraudulent returns at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods stores. According to investigators, the group utilized methods involving receipt alterations and strategic use of store credit to execute hundreds of transactions, ultimately converting stolen merchandise into funds applied to personal debit cards.
“This was a sophisticated, highly-profitable scheme involving hundreds of transactions circumventing return policies — but make no mistake about it, this conduct is theft,” Attorney General 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.”
“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.”
The collaborative investigation was conducted by the Office of Attorney General’s Organized Retail Crime Unit and the Pennsylvania State Police’s Organized Crime Unit, leading to an indictment through the 50th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury.
Authorities report the scheme originated in 2022 and predominantly targeted stores around Philadelphia. Allegedly, the theft process began with stealing items from retail shelves, followed by returning them for store credit. These credits were then used to purchase items, which the group would again manipulate for refunds to personal debit cards. This method led to more than 1,500 transactions totaling over $700,000.
Alongside Whitfield, Scott, and Griffin, six additional members of the organization—Shakeira Vivan, Miara Armstead, Harry Anderson, Lamar Washington, Jasmine Reese, and Myles Hartman—face charges, including corrupt organization, organized retail theft, forgery, and conspiracy.
The case will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Erik Olsen and Deputy Attorney General Noelle Wilkinson. As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
