Thousands of dollars worth of stolen merchandise was recovered and four people were arrested after an investigation into an organized retail theft ring.
Police recovered more than $20,000 in stolen merchandise and also seized a Mercedes Benz, two firearms, more than $45,000 in jewelry and $100,000 in cash from the homes and safe deposit boxes of four offenders.
The four-month multi-agency investigation, which was led by the Arlington Heights Police Department, ended Saturday with search warrants into five offenders' homes and safe deposit boxes. Four of the offenders were arrested, and the fifth is expected to surrender this week, police said.
The offenders targeted businesses in the greater Chicago area using diversionary tactics to distract employees and carry out the robberies. Among the items they stole were products from Apple, Samsung, Roomba and Lego. They then sold the stolen goods through an Internet auction site, police said.
The four people arrested were Dragan Moro Owens, Natsasa Petrov, Kochak Owens and Zvanko Dobobrov, all of Northbrook. None of them were employed, according to police.
All four offenders are charged with continuing a financial crime enterprise.
The investigation was aided by the Cook County State's Attorney Regional Organized Crime Task Force and police departments in Bloomingdale, Downers Grove, Gurnee, Niles, Northbrook, Schaumburg and Vernon Hills.
