Tacoma police say a crime ring has been targeting shops in the Proctor business district as well as Gig Harbor for several months and stealing from employees. “Women will think their purse is secure when they put it on the floor behind the counter, but when someone walks in and walks by, they can see the purse on the floor,” said the Tacoma Police Department’s public information officer Loretta Cool.
Gail Caldwell owns a business across the street from a clothing store that was robbed. She said the same group of people came into her story that day. “Oh, I’m extremely lucky nothing got taken,” Caldwell said Tuesday. “The girl had picked up a few things, but put them down. My worry is they’re after wallets and iPads and getting in the cash register.” Police say that’s exactly what the crooks appear to be after – personal items that are left unattended by employees.
“We just have to be more cautious because we’re female,” Caldwell said. “We’re an easy target and it’s just not right.” The business owners are working with police and coming up with ideas on how to keep each other informed on who’s coming into their stores. “One of the ways was to get an air horn and blow it when they start to come in,” Caldwell said.
“We’ve always encouraged phone trees,” Cool said. “We’ve always encouraged people to talk about things that have happened to them so it doesn’t continue to happen.”
Surveillance cameras have caught the suspects on video and detectives have identified Reymond Lozano as a person of interest. He has a Department of Corrections warrant for his arrest. They’re hoping someone can help identify the other people who may be involved in the crime ring.
If you know where officers can find Lozano or have any other information, call Crime Stoppers of Tacoma-Pierce County at 1 (800) 222-TIPS. Video of the suspects will air on Washington's Most Wanted Friday night at 11 p.m. on Q13 FOX and Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. on JoeTV and 10:30 p.m. on Q13 FOX.