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ST. LOUIS (AP) — Eight Chicago residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury for the smash-and-grab theft of $60,000 worth of handbags at a Saks Fifth Avenue in suburban St. Louis, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
All eight suspects, in their 20s, are charged with transportation of stolen property, officials with the U.S. Attorney's office in St. Louis said. Police in three states are investigating whether the same people are connected to similar crimes in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.
The crime on Nov. 26 in Frontenac, one of Missouri's wealthiest cities, was both fast and brazen.
Police said 10 to 12 people walked into the store's Chanel boutique soon after it opened, all wearing hooded sweatshirts pulled over their faces.
The suspects grabbed handbags that were connected by cables and glass shelving, Frontenac Det. Mike Barron said. As a security guard came toward them they smashed the glass, grabbed handbags, sprinted to two vehicles and sped away.
"It was over in seconds, literally," Barron said. "It appears they definitely knew what they were wanting to get."
The suspects drove into Illinois. About 60 miles from Frontenac, police used spike strips to stop a Dodge Journey. The eight passengers were captured. Sixteen of the 30 stolen handbags were found in the SUV.
A silver Nissan got away. Barron said police believe two to four suspects were in that car.
Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Mike Link said similar crimes have been reported at "high-end" stores in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. He said the combined value of the thefts and property damage, including the Frontenac incident, is estimated at $1.9 million.
Charged in the federal indictment are Dejuan Wingard, 21; Mario Washington, 24; Jacob Lee, 27; Derrick Crowder, 24; Darius Bowdry, 21; Terrence Bell, 25; Julian Campbell, 22; and Keyshyala Thomas, 22. Messages left with their attorneys were not immediately returned.
All eight suspects also are charged with theft in Illinois. Even though they're not accused of an Illinois crime, state law allows for charges for people arrested there, Link said.
Meanwhile, seven of the eight are charged in St. Louis County with theft and property damage. Washington won't be charged because he didn't go into the store during the crime, said Ed Magee, a spokesman for the county prosecutor's office.
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