GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a brazen display of retail theft, Ashley Gibson Crews, 43, and her accomplice, Anastasia Renea Collier, 26, were apprehended yesterday following an audacious spree at a Gainesville Target store. The duo is accused of pilfering merchandise valued at over $900, with Crews already linked to at least seven prior thefts at the same location.
The Gainesville Police Department was alerted by Target’s Loss Prevention Officers (LPO), who had been tracking Crews’ repeated “push-out” thefts over the past month. These thefts involve a technique where the suspect uses bags from other stores to conceal items and then exits without paying. Despite LPOs’ attempts to have law enforcement intervene earlier, it was only at 4:30 p.m. on January 15 that officers were able to respond while Crews was in the store.
Evidence provided by the LPOs detailed Crews’ methodical approach in seven previous incidents, amounting to $2,195.82 in stolen goods. Crews would purportedly use self-checkout to purchase a few inexpensive items, thus acquiring a legitimate receipt, while managing to conceal more expensive merchandise in her shopping bags.
On the day of their arrest, Crews and Collier entered the store together, selected items worth $1,018.49, and meticulously packed them into non-Target bags Crews had brought. Their methodical packing even included using rugs to obscure other items. At the self-checkout, Crews reportedly paid just $26.89, before the pair attempted to leave with $993.23 in unpaid merchandise.
However, this time their actions did not go unnoticed. As they tried to exit the store with their cart full of concealed goods, they were intercepted by LPOs and several police officers waiting outside, leading to their arrest and subsequent charges.
At the self-checkout register, Crews reportedly rang up and paid for $26.89 in merchandise, and then Crews and Collier allegedly pushed a cart with $993.23 in stolen merchandise out of the store. The pair were stopped outside the store by an LPO and multiple police officers, and both were taken into custody.
Post Miranda, Crews reportedly admitted to stealing the items from Target, both on January 15 and on seven previous dates. She reportedly said this has been going on “since about August” and said she is stealing merchandise because she is not working and does not have any money.
Crews has been charged with grand theft, organized retail theft with at least five incidents within 30 days, and engaging in a scheme to defraud. She has no criminal history, and Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $175,000.
Collier has been charged with grand theft. She has no criminal history, and Judge Miller-Jones set bail at $50,000.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
