Janeice Downs and her mother, Janeice Wiley, were arrested after police say investigators linked them to stolen Louis Vuitton bags from a Nordstrom store in downtown Seattle.
The latest case involves two Louis Vuitton handbags valued at more than $7,000. According to FOX 13 Seattle, detectives believe Downs and another person stole the bags on June 6 after distracting a Nordstrom employee inside the store.
Police say the investigation picked up steam after a TikTok video was posted the next day showing Wiley holding the bags while Yung Miami’s “Spend Dat” played in the background.
Subtle work. Very low-key. Definitely not the type of thing detectives would rewind twice.
Police Say the TikTok Helped Connect the Dots
Investigators said surveillance footage, social media posts, and information shared between law enforcement agencies helped connect Downs to the alleged theft.
FOX 13 reports that detectives also noted the bags appeared on Downs’ Instagram account shortly after the Nordstrom incident.
According to court records cited by FOX 13, Downs allegedly wore a burqa-style face covering during the theft, which investigators said matched a disguise used in previous retail theft cases. When Downs was arrested at Westfield Southcenter mall on June 12, police said she was wearing the same burqa, black sandals, and white-painted toenails seen in surveillance footage from the Nordstrom theft.
The $500K Case Goes Back to a Larger Retail Theft Ring
Downs, also known as Janeice Smith, was charged with first-degree organized retail theft in the latest case.
Police say this is not the first time Downs and Wiley have been tied to a major retail theft investigation. Bellevue Police previously accused Downs, Wiley, and others of being part of a West Coast retail theft ring connected to more than $537,000 in stolen merchandise across at least 42 incidents.
That case mainly involved Lululemon stores in Western Washington, Northern Oregon, and Southern California. Police said the group would often enter stores, stuff bags with merchandise, and leave with thousands of dollars worth of items at a time.
Downs previously pleaded guilty to six counts of organized retail theft connected to that larger case, according to FOX 13. She was sentenced to 33 months in prison and was released in January after receiving credit for time served.
Downs Remains in Jail While Wiley Posted Bail
FOX 13 reports that Downs remains jailed on $215,000 bail, which includes $75,000 tied to an Oregon fugitive warrant involving 16 theft-related counts.
Wiley was also arrested, but later posted $50,000 bail and was released. Her case connected to the earlier Lululemon theft investigation is still pending trial.
Police are treating the case as part of a larger organized retail theft problem in the region.
As always, the allegations remain allegations unless proven in court.