Crime & Safety

Fridley Police Arrest Sisters in Alleged Interstate Shoplifting Ring

Under questioning, a Minneapolis woman arrested on July 30 admitted to being part of a six-person interstate shoplifting ring, police said.

Two sisters pulled over by Fridley police officers in late July were charged with participation in a shoplifting ring that ran from Iowa to Minnesota.

“It started out as a regular traffic stop,” said Fridley police Lt. Mike Monsrud. “The driver had a warrant for his arrest, and then they noticed a bunch of high-end items with all the tags still on them.”

In total, 375 clothing and fragrance items—with tags still on them—worth more than $10,000 were found in the car from stores such as Victoria’s Secret and Ulta.

The driver of the car, 64-year-old Arbourn George Thompson, had a revoked driver’s license and an Anoka County warrant for his arrest, according to a police report. (He was arrested on the warrant but will likely not be charged for shoplifting, Monsrud said.)

Officers smelled marijuana in the car, and questioned Thompson’s two passengers, Marquita Wright and Ebony Lakish Wright, both of Minneapolis.

Ebony Wright, 31, originally claimed she was only 17 years old but corrected her story under questioning.

Fridley police worked with department stores to piece together the history of the luxury items found in the detained car.

Under questioning, Marquita Wright “admitted to being the getaway driver for a group of about six people who are involved in an organized shoplifting ring,” according to a police report.


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