Two people are accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of electronic devices from Walmarts in Centre and Clearfield counties then reselling them in the United States and other countries.
Maurice L. Whyte and Jasmine L. Robinson are charged in a federal indictment unsealed on Monday with conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen property.
They allegedly traveled to central Pennsylvania from Ohio for the purpose of stealing Apple iPhones, iPads, AirPods and Watches, as well as other brands of electronic devices from the Walmart stores on Benner Pike in College Township and in Sandy Township, Clearfield County.
At about 2:20 a.m. on Nov. 6, 2019, Whyte, Robinson and a co-conspirator entered the College Township store and stole 15 iPhones worth $13,585, according to the indictment. Whyte is accused of using a pry bar to open storage drawers and remove the iPhones. Robinson and the unnamed co-conspirator allegedly concealed the phones in a duffel bag and backpack then left the store.
About three hours earlier, Whyte and Robinson allegedly stole more than $11,000 worth of iPhones and other electronics from the Sandy Township Walmart. They’re also accused of stealing nearly $34,000 worth of phones and electronic devices from Walmart stores in Ohio and Illinois in the month before and after the alleged Pennsylvania thefts
According to the indictment, Whyte and Robinson returned to Ohio and used social media messages to arrange the sale and transfer of the stolen items to people in Ohio, Oklahoma, Burkina Faso and Israel in 2019 and 2020.
Investigators allegedly found images Whyte posted on social media of him, Robinson and “substantial amounts of cash obtained through the interstate sale and transfer of stolen electronic merchandise.
The indictment was filed in April before being unsealed on Wednesday.
