Police looking for theft suspects

The Spokane Police Department is investigating several recent thefts, including in Coeur d'Alene, committed by what appears to be groups of travelers.

"These groups move through cities committing crimes for several days before moving on," a press release said.

They have reportedly sold fake gold, burglarized temples and shoplifted.

The most recent thefts occurred when a group stole more than $6,000 worth of Similac baby formula from grocery stores in Kennewick, Spokane, Liberty Lake, Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene.

"At times, the thieves have wiped out entire store shelves of their supply of baby formula. These groups are often large and use children and multiple people to distract employees," the release said. "They often wear sandals and the women wear long dresses. They tie duffel bags around their waists under their dresses and then fill them with merchandise and waddle out of the store."

The groups, many of Romanian descent, often travel in similar minivans and stay in campgrounds, RV parks or other temporary parking areas.

One recent group was in an older gray KIA Sedona with fake Texas temporary tags No. 2185D66 and eagle-head and wolf-head stickers on the rear window.

Anyone with information about where in Spokane the suspects stayed Sept. 18-22 or has video surveillance of the group is asked to contact Sgt. Brian Eckersley, [email protected].