Question: Whatever happened to the six individuals who were caught on a surveillance video camera allegedly stealing toys from Toys R Us at Windward Mall in December 2011?
Answer: The six thieves — five women and a man — have not been charged, according to Honolulu Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Yu. The case remains open.
The Star-Advertiser called the Toys R Us corporate communications office in New Jersey
to inquire about the theft case. A company representative responded via email, referring the matter to local authorities.
Attorney Myles Breiner, who is representing one of the six and arranged for the other five to get representation, said he suspects they will not be charged because the thieves returned the stolen toys and turned themselves in to police in the latter part of December 2011.
They were arrested on suspicion of second-degree theft and released pending investigation. The offense is considered a Class C felony, which carries a penalty of five years in prison, maximum, and a $10,000 fine.
Prosecutors have up to three years to file a complaint against the alleged culprits, according to Breiner.
Between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1, 2011, a surveillance camera at Windward Mall caught footage of five women and a man carrying toys to a vehicle in a parking lot through an employee service corridor. A witness reported seeing the group making several trips, carrying large boxes of merchandise to the vehicle from the employee service entrance.
Soon after police released still photos of the footage, CrimeStoppers was barraged with hundreds of tips from the public, including retailers, concerning the alleged thieves.
Breiner had said the suspects returned 24 toys valued at an estimated $300. Police, however, had said the toys they returned represented only some of the stolen goods, which CrimeStoppers estimated have a total value of $1,500. Sgt. Kim Buffett reported that the toys returned represented less than half of the merchandise taken.
Yu said police are also looking into the possibility of the group being linked to other cases. It’s not known how many cases are under investigation.
CrimeStoppers said in a December 2011 Associated Press story that the individuals were also suspects in a Nov. 30 theft of two 40-inch flat-screen TVs from Walmart in Kunia. Four women and a man were observed casually walking out of the store with the stolen televisions.
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This update was written by Rosemarie Bernardo. Suggest a topic for “Whatever Happened To…” by writing Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 7-210, Honolulu 96813; call 529-4747; or email cityeditors@staradvertiser.com.
