TORRANCE, Calif., March 20 (UPI) -- The reputed members of a gypsy shoplifting ring told investigators they stole to pay off a massive debt owed by their family, police in Southern California said.
Torrance police arrested the four members of the reputed Chicago-based ring after they allegedly stole from multiple Apple stores in the Los Angeles area.
Police said in a written statement they turned to lives of crime to settle a $2 million debt incurred by their family several years ago.
The alleged crew identified themselves as "Polish gypsy family," police said. Investigators said they believed they swiped as much as $3 million in the past three years from electronics stores.
The Los Angeles Times said Wednesday the suspects had been under surveillance since they allegedly hit a store in Torrance and were picked up when the returned to Los Angeles for a court appearance on another theft charge.
