Jacksonville sheriff: 8 arrested in retail theft ring 'Operation Loot and Scoot'

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — MUGSHOTS: Operation Loot and Scoot (8 suspects)

Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams said Tuesday eight people have been arrested in a two-year undercover operation.

During "Operation Loot and Scoot," investigators uncovered an organized retail theft ring operating in Jacksonville and other places.

"The crime ring led investigators to Orlando, St. Marys, Georgia, and as far west as Tallahassee," Williams said.

The suspects are accused of stealing $500,000 worth of merchandise and selling most of it online.

When officers searched ringleader Antoun Arbaji's home, they found $53,000 in stolen merchandise and $11,400 in cash.

Williams said the investigation began in 2016. They were tipped off by retailers like Walmart and Target that the suspects were stealing health, beauty and office supplies.

"Items they would routinely steal are razors, nicotine gum, the print cartridges for printers and other popular products," Williams said.

The suspects would enter stores like Publix, Target, Walmart and Winn-Dixie and fill empty plastic totes or suitcases with expensive merchandise and walk out of the store. Authorities said if they were questioned by store management, they would leave the items and run away.

Arbaji would recruit shoplifters and pay them, Williams said. Police say Arbaji would then sell the stolen items online.

"He would recruit shoplifters to steal specific items and he would pay them anywhere from $10 an item for 20 percent of what they brought in," Williams said.

Seven of the eight suspects have been charged under RICO, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The eight suspects are facing a total of 142 felony charges.

Per the Statewide Prosecutor's Office, each of these suspects qualifies for the following;
•    Antoun Arbaji - Life + 796 years
•    Dantavia Berry - 111 years (mother)
•    Deedra Berry - Life + 178 years (daughter)
•    Brian Harris - Life + 60 years
•    Chiquita Moorehead - 20 years
•    Latoya Shurman - Life + 71 years
•    Natasha Soukseunchay - Life + 70 Years
•    Jennifer Upton - Life + 210 years

Williams said the arrests are an example of what his agency is trying to do each day to crack down on criminals taking advantage of businesses in our area.

More charges could be coming. JSO said it is looking at whether this group is tied to 300 other shoplifting cases.

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