Often, the group would steal thousands of dollars in candles from stores multiple times a week, and even days in a row.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — Three people from D.C. are facing charges for an alleged string of candle thefts in Kingstowne and Fair Oaks, which resulted in more than $31,000 in stolen goods.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, 34-year-old Delontae Shaw, 25-year-old Sincere Stewart, and 28-year-old Devon Owens were connected to 15 candle thefts in less than 3 months.
The first theft was reported on Feb. 10. Officers say three people, they believe to be Shaw, Stewart, and Owens, walked into a store in the 5800 block of Kingstowne Center and stole a number of items before getting into a car and driving away.
In the following weeks, police heard of similar thefts, which they say pointed to a clear pattern of organized retail theft.
Police did not say how Shaw, Stewart, and Owens were identified, but the trio was arrested on May 29 for their roles in the thefts. Shaw has been charged with 10 counts of grand larceny and 10 counts of larceny with intent to sell. Stewart has been charged with four counts of conspiracy to commit larceny, and Owens is facing five counts of grand larceny and five counts of larceny with intent to sell.
All three accused thieves are being held in the DC Central Detention Facility while awaiting extradition back to Fairfax County.
The reported thefts amassed more than $30,000 in stolen products, according to police. In some incidents, upwards of $4,000 in products were stolen. Often, the group would steal thousands of dollars in candles from stores multiple times a week, and even days in a row. The thefts include:
- Feb. 10 – $1,802.45 stolen from Kingstowne store
- Feb. 25 – $1,758.05 stolen from Kingstowne store
- March 15 – $1,095.60 stolen from Kingstowne store
- March 24 – $1,888.55 stolen from Kingstowne store
- March 28 – $1,653.42 stolen from Kingstowne store
- April 3 – $2,051.00 stolen from Fair Oaks store
- April 7 – $4,319.05 stolen from Fair Oaks store
- April 8 – $2,000.00 stolen from Kingstowne store
- April 22 – $1,282.68 stolen from Kingstowne store
- April 23 – $2,464.55 stolen from Kingstowne store
- April 24 – $3,100.00 stolen from Fair Oaks store
- May 2 – $849.25 stolen from Kingstowne store
- May 13 – $2,620.45 stolen from Fair Oaks store
- May 21 – $3,518.40 stolen from Fair Oaks store
- May 25 – $600.00 stolen from Springfield store