Mother, son arrested in $100,000 toothbrush theft ring

APOPKA, FL -- A mother and son in Florida are facing charges for their role in an alleged toothbrush theft ring.

Police say Clint Curtiss, 44, and Mary Curtiss, 64, led a group they say is responsible for stealing more than $100,000 worth of toothbrushes in the past year. The thefts happened at Publix, Walmart, Walgreens and CVS stores throughout Central Florida, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Police say the ringleaders stole electronic toothbrushes worth more than $100 and would then visit other stores to buy replacement heads. They altered receipts to make it appear they had also bought the toothbrushes. Employees would process the return and give the Curtisses their money back.

According to ABC affiliate WFTV, police suspect there are at least three other people involved in the toothbrush theft ring. They also believe the thefts began on a smaller scale back in 2011.

Clint and Mary Curtiss both face charges of racketeering and conspiracy to engage in racketeering. They were arrested Tuesday and remain in the Orange County Jail.

Jail records don't indicate whether they've hired attorneys.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.