FAIRFAX, Va. -- It took seven people, 15 seconds and a fire extinguisher. With that, a seven-person crew from Pennsylvania made off with more than $60,000 in luxury goods from the Chanel store in the posh Tysons Galleria mall in northern Virginia back in June.

Given the rising nationwide concern over organized retail theft, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis recognizes that his affluent northern Virginia jurisdiction is a prime target.

“I believe this makes us very vulnerable. It's no secret that Fairfax County boasts a world-class retail scene,” Davis stated. “This is one of the key reasons why our commitment to safety is so high.”

On Thursday, Davis highlighted the county's recent successes in combating these thefts. At a press conference, he announced the apprehension of the suspected getaway driver in the Chanel heist, as well as arrest warrants for two other individuals. He also shared video and screenshots of four additional suspects involved in the theft, hoping these images will lead to further arrests.

Video footage of the theft captures one of the suspects deploying a fire extinguisher at a security guard as they enter the store. Charges against the suspects include assault with a caustic substance for discharging the fire extinguisher.

Police also announced apprehensions connected to a separate group that has targeted upscale retail stores in seven different states on both coasts. Deputy Police Chief Gregory Fried disclosed that members of this group are responsible for at least $170,000 in losses across those seven states, including $35,000 in Fairfax County.

The problem of organized retail theft has gained increasing national attention. More than two dozen states have recently enacted legislation to combat this issue. Precise data on this matter is not readily available — last year the National Retail Foundation retracted a claim in a report it released that organized retail crime accounted for roughly half of lost inventory.

In Fairfax County, Davis reported that reported thefts have doubled from 2021 to 2023, rising from approximately 4,000 to over 8,000.

However, he reported that arrests have nearly tripled. Consequently, he stated that arrests were made in 70% of theft cases in 2023, compared to 52% in 2021.

He also emphasized the significance of retailers actively collecting evidence, especially video footage, to assist law enforcement in apprehending suspects. He mentioned that some retailers are equipping their staff with body-worn cameras akin to those used by police officers.

While he affirmed that his agency is prioritizing theft arrests, he emphasized the need for the judicial system to exhibit equal seriousness in addressing this issue. He expressed dissatisfaction with the low bail amounts imposed on suspects apprehended for theft.

“It's not little Johnny stealing a 3 Musketeers bar,” he said.