Officers responded to a shoplifting call at the Aldi's store at about 1:30 p.m., authorities report. By the time officers arrived at the store the suspects had fled, however.
After getting a description of their vehicle, officers found the group at a Family Dollar store, also on Ramsey Street. The suspects attempted to evade police on foot as they left the store, but were apprehended by police.
Officers discovered hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise from the Aldi's, the Family Dollar, as well as the Dollar General store. Most of the stolen goods were frozen food and perishable items.
Police arrested and charged each member of the group with felony conspiracy and larceny from a merchant.
Those charged are all Fayetteville residents and include: Shante Levee Ferguson, 25, of Cape Fear Avenue; Danielle Monique Jones, 25, of River Front Lane; Alexandra Gaberille McLaurin, 22, of Blue Street; and Gregory Arnold Sykes, 45, of Little Avenue.
Authorities reports that all four of the suspects have prior criminal records, each having been arrested more than twice in the last few years.
Officials report Sykes has been arrested 41 times since 1998. His arrests were for various reasons ranging from larceny, shoplifting, assault and more.
"It's the career criminals and repeat offenders that give this city a bad name," Fayetteville Police Chief Tom Bergamine said. "It's very frustrating. At the very least, the public should take note of their names and their mug shots and be wary when they see them."
All of the suspects remain in jail on bond.
