VIENNA - Vienna Police Department is investigating two grand larceny events that equal more than $20,000 in loss from stores in Grand Central Mall Friday.
The Victoria's Secret and Aeropostale stores in the mall reported that thousands of dollars of merchandise were taken from their stores between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., said Sgt. R.W. Shuman with the Vienna Police Department.
Victoria's Secret reported about 400 bras and 350 pairs of panties to equal about $23,000 and Aeropostale reported more than $2,000 worth of T-shirts missing.
"We think the suspects are taking in bags that are lined with something to keep the store alarms from setting off," Shuman said. "And, while one or two of the suspects keep the store employees busy, the other person or people go through the store and empty the drawers."
It is unknown if the incidents at the two stores are related, although they took place on the same day in the same time period.
"It's just hard to tell," Shuman said.
According to reports, the suspects may be Hispanic and possibly drive a white mini van, but the descriptions are not certain.
"Some witnesses in the mall noticed a small group of people going into and out of Victoria's Secret with large bags several times in those hours and get into the same vehicle," Shuman said. "But it is difficult to find these people because we can't stop every white mini van in the area."
Shuman said Victoria's Secret reported a similar incident in May, which resulted in the loss of about $7,500 in merchandise. That first incident occurred after another Victoria's Secret in Kentucky reported a similar theft.
"This type of thing happens in big cities nearly daily, but not around here," Shuman said.
Limited Brands, which owns Victoria's Secret, released the following statement concerning the incidents: "Limited Brands values its relationship with law enforcement and works aggressively with them to deter and identify criminals of theft.
"We continue to cooperate fully with authorities to prosecute these criminals."
