9 Women Charged in Twin Cities Shoplifting Ring

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Police say a theft ring used Facebook to take "orders" and would then fulfill the requests by stealing high-end merchandise from big-box stores in the Twin Cities area.

Nine women are facing felony charges in connection with thefts in five counties.

Criminal complaints say the shoplifters involved in the ring stole about $35,000 in merchandise between September 2012 and June 2014.

The complaints accuse Christina Coombs and Briana Nichole Jefferson of involvement in more cases than any of other women who are charged. The complaints say the two women often worked together and stole $4,500 in merchandise in their largest haul.

An attorney representing Jefferson declined to comment and court records don't indicate an attorney for Coombs.