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Suspected shoplifting ring busted

Deair Wray-Johnson
Rai’nahja Wray-Johnson

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Law enforcement arrested three people Saturday in what Sheriff David Lucas described as a shoplifting ring.

Lucas said law enforcement received a call from Macy’s regarding the alleged thefts.

“This was very well-planned out,” Lucas said.

Lucas said the accused targeted Macy’s department store and Marshalls, both at the Ohio Valley Mall. He said two women, an adult and a juvenile, reportedly entered the stores, picked out clothes, and left with them. When confronted by store employees, Lucas said the suspects refused to stop and entered a vehicle where a male suspect was driving a black Chevy.

“The vehicle had no license plate on it,” Lucas said. “It was all set up.”

Lucas said they targeted the expensive items in the store. He said the thefts from Macy’s included 47 items at a total value of $2,609.55, and the Marshalls thefts were 95 items valued at $1,513.53, for a total of more than $4,000.

“A lot of these clothes (were) name-brand,” he said.

A St. Clairsville police officer identified the vehicle and stopped it on Ohio 9 near Franklin Street, Lucas said.

Deair Wray-Johnson, 25, of Fairlawn was taken to the Belmont County Jail and charged with driving under suspension, theft, and obstructing official business. His bond was set at $4,250.

Rai’nahja Wray-Johnson, 24, of Akron, was charged with theft. She posted bond.

Their relationship is unknown.

The juvenile, a 16-year-old, was taken to Sargus Juvenile Detention Center.

Lucas added that his office is putting out work to other counties that might have experienced similar thefts.

He said good communication enabled the swift arrest.

“We try to get the information out to the community as fast as we can. The information was put out to the St. Clairsville Police Department and the surrounding departments,” Lucas said. “It’s hard to outrun the radio.”

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