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Read the press release here.

Young Thieves Go on Shoplifting Spree at UWS Club Monaco, Police Say

By Emily Frost | March 11, 2014 5:01pm
 Young thieves swiped $1,600 worth of accessories from Club Monaco on Columbus Avenue.
Young thieves swiped $1,600 worth of accessories from Club Monaco on Columbus Avenue.
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DNAinfo/Emily Frost

UPPER WEST SIDE — A group of young shoplifters swiped hundreds of dollars in hats and sunglasses from a Club Monaco store on Columbus Avenue last week, distracting employees so they could stuff the stolen items into their purses, police and store staff said.

Six women and one man managed to make off with $1,600 worth of accessories in less than five minutes during the spree on March 4 about 1 p.m., police and store management said.

"They kind of divided and conquered and distracted our staff," said store manager Alyssa Carter, who said the group moved quickly through the store at West 70th Street, putting the merchandise in their purses. "It was definitely organized."

All the thieves were described as between 18- and 22-years-old, police said.

In a separate incident, a man stole $3,500 in men's pants from a Banana Republic on Broadway at West 67th Street, police said. The thief slipped the slacks into a shopping bag on March 7 about 6 p.m. before walking out of the store, police said.

The store manager declined to comment. 

Other notable crimes in the 20th Precinct include:

► A man passed a note to the teller at Capital One Bank on Broadway at West 70th Street and made off with $1,700 in cash at 11:40 a.m. on March 8, police said. The bank manager said she could not discuss the matter.

► A woman had her bag stolen from the back of her chair at a Starbucks on Columbus Avenue and West 67th Street about 4 p.m. on March 8, police said. The 23-year-old victim did not see who took the bag and reported losing credit cards and her iPhone, police said. The store manager declined to comment.

► A construction company reported that power tools valued at $700 went missing from a site at 125 W. 69th St. about 7 a.m. on March 10, police said.