13 indicted in $100,000 South Jersey shoplifting ring

GALLOWAY TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- A total of 13 people are accused of taking part in a shoplifting ring that operated in southern New Jersey, netting more than $100,000 worth of clothing items.

Police say the ringleaders were Alicia Blackburne, 27, and Robert Campbell, 29, both of Galloway Township.

The New Jersey Attorney General's office says the ring would target Marshalls and TJ Maxx stores in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean and Monmouth counties.

PHOTOS: Suspects in NJ shoplifting ring

Investigators say Campbell would drive Blackburne to one of the stores, where she would allegedly put items into a large shoulder bag and head to a bathroom.

While in there, she would allegedly remove all security devices and leave the store.

The stolen items would then be handed off to a third person, the AG's office said, who would go back to the store and return the items for a gift card.

Then, the ringleaders would allegedly take those gift cards to a pawn shop, where they would receive half the amount in cash.

The other 11 people charged were those who allegedly participated by, on separate occasions, being the person who made the returns.

Blackburne and Campbell were charged with second-degree crime of being the leader of an organized retail theft enterprise.

They, along with the other 11 defendants, are charged with second-degree conspiracy, second-degree shoplifting and third-degree shoplifting.

They are identified as:

Courtney L. Perkins, 21, of Mays Landing, N.J.,

Amanda A. Rivera, 29, of Cape May Court House, N.J.,

Julias A. Williams, 57, of Cape May Court House, N.J.,

Megan A. Flinn, 20, of Galloway, N.J.,

Benett L. Bollinger, 35, of Smithville, N.J.,

Jennifer Distefano, 28, of Smithville, N.J.,

William H. Lowe, 31, of Cape May Court House, N.J.,

Edward J. Vanaman, 26, of Cape May Court House, N.J.,

Priscilla E. Laboy, 20, of Petersburg, N.J.,

Dylan A. Gallo, 21, of Villas, N.J., and

Ashley P. Blackburne, 20, of Cape May Court House, N.J., who is Alicia Blackburne's niece.

Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000, while third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.