Ray Carr, Courtesy Boca Raton PD.
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — We joked yesterday that Boca Raton PD’s “tac team” is everywhere and all knowing, much like the NSA. Turns out we may be on to something — as officers and detectives were involved with another major takedown near Glades Road and I-95.
From Boca PD:
It was a busy day for the Boca Raton Police Tac Team on the afternoon of Thursday, June 27th. While conducting surveillance patrols around the area of 2200 West Glades, officers spotted a vehicle with tinted windows that were so dark it was impossible to see inside. The officer also noticed bar codes on the windows which indicated it was a rental. While following the vehicle, the operator made numerous traffic violations as the vehicle continued into the parking lot at Town Center Mall.
Nia Bell, Courtesy Boca Raton PD.
Officers from the Tac Team conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and, upon making contact with the driver, they could smell marijuana. A search of the vehicle not only turned up the drug, but thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from various stores, along with a “booster bag”. The bag was lined with aluminum foil placed inside another bag. In the trunk were 18 pairs of shorts and 22 shirts from Aeropostal; 9 dresses, 13 shirts and 12 pairs of shorts from Express; 10 shirts and 8 pairs of pants from Hot Topic; 1 necklace, 9 dresses, 6 shirts and 5 pairs of leggings from Rue 21; 5 pairs of leggings, 24 pairs of jumpers from Charlotte Russ, all totaling $4, 272.14. The occupants of the car collectively said the clothing was for their family and was taken from other malls. They added that they came to the mall to shoplift from American Apparel.
The occupants, Lashona Ryland, Nia Bell and Ray Carr were all charged with Possession/Use of Anti-shoplifting Counter Measures and Retail Theft with Others Distracting Merchants. Carr was also charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Giving a False Name upon Arrest.
Letha Young, Courtesy Boca Raton PD.
While investigating this incident, other Tac Team officers on their way to back up the officers already on the scene observed two individuals in the parking lot of the mall with a large bag wrapped in duct tape. The pair then got into their car and began leaving the shopping center. While watching them, officers observed numerous traffic violations and initiated a traffic stop.
The driver, Gerald Allen, was driving with a suspended license from two years ago. While questioning Allen and his passenger, marijuana and rolling papers were observed in the car. A search of the vehicle not only turned up a “booster bag”, but numerous pieces of merchandise from Pac Sun and Express.
Both Allen and Letha Young were charged with Retail Theft in Concert with Another. Allen was also charged with Operating a Vehicle with a Suspended License and Young with Possession/Use of Antishoplifting Counter Measures.
