Report: Multi-state shoplifting ring busted

Northbrook, Ill. – The U.S. Secret Service has reportedly arrested three members of a family living in Northbrook, Ill., for running a sophisticated shoplifting ring that stole items from stores ranging from Maryland to Texas during the past 10 years.



According to the Chicago Tribune, Branko Bogdanov, 58, wife Lela, 52, and their daughter, Julia, 34, have spent the past decade using specially altered clothing to steal merchandise from retailers including Startbucks, Toys “R” Us, and Barnes & Noble. The three reportedly stole $7.1 million worth of merchandise and resold it for $4.2 million on EBay. Federal authorities were alerted to unusual EBay activity and then followed the Bogdanovs on a four-day shoplifting spree through Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana, arresting the family in New Orleans on March 4.



The family faces a charge of interstate transportation of stolen property and may face additional charges. It is unknown if any of the Bogdanovs are U.S. citizens.