Panty Raid- Theives Steal $4000 in High End Lingerie From California's Victoria's Secret Shop

DISCLAIMER: Not the actual panties stolen

Police in San Diego are searching for two men who were filmed by surveillance cameras stealing hundreds of pairs of panties from a downtown Victoria's Secret shop earlier this week.

The suspects were caught on surveillance camera entering the store, one of them carrying a large shopping bag. His accomplice then scooped up about 300 pairs of panties on display on a table near the entrance, and deposits them in the bag. Moments later, both men leave the store, unnoticed by any of the employees.

"It's not a petty theft or grand theft," said Lt. Andra Brown of the San Diego police department. "It is a felony burglary because they went into that business with the intent to steal."

Now- I suppose the easiest thing in the world would be to make some sort of pun about how authorities promise to get to the bottom of this....oh wait...I just did. So far, police have yet to announce they've made a bust in the case. Of course, if the crooks took nothing but panties, maybe the boosted lingerie should be considered 'low-end'.

San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.com

Anywhoo, San Diego Police say that these types of 'stash and dash' robberies are becoming increasingly common as stores get busier for the Christmas shopping season. In November, authorities broke up what they described as a highly organized burgularly ring that targeted retailers such as Bloomingdale's, Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch in San Diego's Fashion Valley.

The sheer quantity of panties stolen would indicate that the thieves likely already had potential buyers lined up or they were confident they could move the merchandise quickly. According to the FBI, organized retail theft rings can be generally described as professional burgulars, shoplifters, cons and fences consipring to steal merchandise at the retail level and sell it at flea markets, online or to move it to other fences. Unlike a one-time opportunist, uch groups will steal electronics, clothing, hardware or even food- sometimes being sent a 'shopping list' from fences and potential buyers in advance.

Victoria's Secret is a subsidary of specialty retailer Limited Brands [NYSE- LTD]. A cursory check of prices on the Victoria's Secret website shows some panties going for as much as $36 a pair.