Teen Charged in Four D.C. Retail Thefts

A 17-year-old girl from Northeast D.C. faces four theft charges tied to retail thefts in Northwest D.C. from August through October.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Property Crime

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Police arrested a 17-year-old girl on October 29 and charged her with four retail theft offenses in Northwest D.C. Police are seeking to identify additional persons of interest in the cases.

Why it matters

The thefts involved repeated targeting of retail stores in Washington's Northwest neighborhoods over several weeks, with losses totaling thousands of dollars. Police are still working to identify others connected to the incidents.

The 17-year-old faces four theft charges, and police are still seeking additional persons of interest in the case. A reward of up to $1,000 is offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

The players

Metropolitan Police Department

The Metropolitan Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency of Washington, D.C., responsible for investigating crimes in the District.

The details

Four suspects entered a Sephora on Connecticut Street and began grabbing items before leaving without paying, stealing more than 100 fragrances valued at $4,754. Earlier thefts at Lululemon stores on F Street and M Street involved jackets, pants and fragrances.

August 28, around 8 p.m.: theft at a store in the 3200 block of M Street Northwest.
September 28: thefts at stores on F Street and Connecticut Street Northwest.
October 1, around 7:30 p.m.: theft at a store in the 3200 block of M Street Northwest.
October 29: 17-year-old girl arrested in connection with the thefts.

Legal Context

Retail theft cases in the District are typically prosecuted through the local court system as property offenses. This series of thefts across multiple stores illustrates how repeat retail theft is handled as a pattern of offenses rather than isolated incidents.

Retail employees and shoppers in Northwest D.C. neighborhoods may see increased security attention as police seek additional suspects. Store owners along M, F and Connecticut streets face ongoing risk from organized theft groups targeting high-value merchandise.

The takeaway

Retail theft involving organized groups can cause significant losses for businesses within a short period. Residents and store workers who witness similar activity are encouraged to report it to police to help investigators identify suspects.