It could be called bold. And make it bold with a capital B.
Two women went into a Victoria’s Secret store one recent evening at a shopping mall in Maryland’s suburbs and, armed with large bags, stole items as shoppers watched and strolled nearby.
Much of the theft was captured on a video taken by a passerby and released Thursday by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. Now authorities want the public’s help in identifying and finding the shoplifters.
The incident unfolded Wednesday around 8 p.m. at the lingerie store at the St. Charles Towne Center in Waldorf, police said. The video shows two women near the entrance of the store quickly stuffing what appears to be clothes into bags. One of the women is using a big black tote bag, while the other one uses a large trash bag for the loot.
In the background of the video, two people can be seen standing just outside the store watching. One person who appeared to be watching the theft unfold can be heard in the video saying, “She is straight-up stealing.” Then one of the alleged shoplifters answers the bystander with a few curse words.
An image of two women who alleged robbed a Victoria’s Secret store in Waldorf, Md. Authorities are looking for them. (Courtesy of Charles County Sheriff’s Office)
In one photograph from authorities, another shopper in the store appears to stroll in, walking past the shoplifters, and head to a rack of tote bags. She does not seem aware of the theft.
With their bags appearing to be mostly full, the two women then shuffled out of the store — albeit a bit hurriedly. The sheriff’s office said they left the mall through a lower-level entrance.
Officials with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that they are “looking into the possibility the suspects may be connected to similar thefts throughout the region.” They did not detail where — or when — those other thefts happened.
On the Facebook page of the sheriff’s department, the robbery at the Victoria’s Secret and the fact that it was caught on video by a passerby generated plenty of comments.
One viewer, Sherelle Grooms, said, “Lol they are crazy.”
Others commented on how brazen it appeared.
Emeka Langley said: “Wow!!! They are very bold to be doing this right in the open without a care in the world. Nobody was bold enough to stop them? This is pitiful. Get a job get a life.”
Two women alleged robbed a Charles County Sheriff’s Office and it was caught on video by a passerby. One of them used a large trash bag to make off with the loot. (Courtesy of Charles County Sheriff’s Office)
Another Facebook user, Jennifer Ligons, chimed in, saying: “Clearly they’ve done this before and are not likely from our area! Just pathetic — get a job and there will be no need to steal!”
And Lynn De Marr Lee wrote: “They are bold bc they know no penalty, no foul. Smack on the wrist and out they go.”
A reward of up to $1,000 cash is being offered for information in the case. Those with tips are asked to call authorities at 301-932-2222.
