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CHESTERFIELD, Mo. - Two people accused of stealing more than $130,000 in merchandise across multiple states were arrested at the St. Louis Premium Outlets after Chesterfield police received a tip from another agency, authorities said.

Chesterfield police said investigators received information about a vehicle connected to retail thefts across the country. Officers located the vehicle at the outlet mall and watched the two suspects steal merchandise and change clothes to avoid being recognized.

They said police recovered roughly $40,000 in stolen cosmetics from the alleged suspects at the outlet mall.

When officers moved in, one suspect attempted to run before surrendering, police said. Both suspects are now in custody, each charged with organized retail crime and held on a $150,000 bond, according to police.

Sgt. Robert Power of the Chesterfield Police Department said the arrest was the result of coordination between agencies.

 They knew what they were looking for. Just so happens to have been in Chesterfield,  Power said.

Shipping receipts link suspects to thefts in multiple states

Police said shipping receipts recovered at the scene connect the suspects to more than $130,000 in retail theft across multiple states. Officers also recovered approximately $40,000 worth of cosmetics from the alleged suspects.

Power said the financial impact of organized retail crime extends beyond individual stores.

 When you're talking about tens of thousands of dollars, it impacts prices. And worst-case scenarios, it could result in business closures, which means loss of jobs,  Power said.

Prior incidents of organized retail theft in Chesterfield

This is not the first time Chesterfield has seen coordinated retail theft. Surveillance video from 2019 showed a group of women running through Chesterfield Mall with thousands of dollars in stolen perfume, shoving a child as they attempted to flee.

Power said information from businesses and residents is critical to stopping these operations.

 Information to us is currency. So we advise businesses,

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