As Daytona Beach Police hunt for eight more suspects believed to be a part of an organized criminal theft ring, detectives estimate that about $800,000 in electronic goods have been stolen across 16 stores by gang members.
On Friday, detectives recovered ski masks, gloves, and laundry bags used by two members of the gang captured early Thursday morning after a burglary of a Best Buy Store at 1900 W. International Speedway Boulevard.
The masks, gloves, and bags were left behind in the Spring Meadowns neighborhood in Ormond Beach by 23-year-old Gregory A. Smith and 31-year-old David Daniels, who were taken into custody just before day break yesterday.
Detectives responded to the Best Buy after a burglary alarm was triggered just before 5:00 a.m. Thursday. A car was spotted traveling fast and moving erratically on Williamson Boulevard. Police said, the rear of the vehicle dragged a chain which detectives believe was used to rip open the back door of the Best Buy.
Smith and Daniels, who were caught in the Ormond Beach area after they fled the Best Buy, are part of a group of suspects active from Miami to Connecticut, police said.
Police also said, this same group burglarized 16 different electronic stores just in Florida, including Best Buy, Comp USA, and AT&T. The vast majority of the stores burglarized are in the Miami area, but also include Jacksonville, Tampa, Broward County and Lee County.
A spokesperson from the Daytona Beach Police estimates about $800,000 worth of electronics have been stolen across the 16 stores. Over $45,000 worth of Ipads and Apple products were stolen from the Best Buy Store on Thursday morning.
Several law enforcement agencies are currently in Daytona Beach interviewing Smith and Daniels with the expectation that other crimes that occurred in their jurisdictions will be solved. A full confession was made by one of the suspects, police said.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Scott Frantz at 386-671-5247.
