Thieves target Gucci stores in Boston area for high-priced haul

NEWTON, Mass. - Thieves with expensive taste and a well-thought out plan are targeting Gucci stores in the Boston area, getting away with over $100,000 in merchandise from two different venues, reports CBS Boston.

Newton Police Lt. Bruce Apotheker says the thefts take place in "probably less than 20 seconds."

"They know exactly what they want," he tells the station.

One of the thefts took place last Thursday at a Gucci store inside the Bloomingdale's at the Chestnut Hill Mall in Newton.

Apotheker says that theft was "pretty brazen" and involved six perpetrators.

The six allegedly stormed into the store, past employees and straight to the walls of merchandise where they ripped item after item off the shelves. Gucci purses run into the thousands, and in this instance, the thieves made off with 30 handbags, CBS Boston reported.

"They're going to sell it," Apotheker says. "They'll sell it for a fraction of the cost, and that will be used to buy drugs, guns."

Last Thursday's robbery marks the fourth one of its kind at a Gucci store in the Boston area since April, according to the station.

Three of the thefts took place in the Chestnut Hill Mall and one took place on Boylston Street in Boston. Authorities believe all of the heists are linked.

In the most recent Chestnut Hill robbery, the suspects reportedly fled in separate vehicles down busy Route 9.

"This time nobody got hurt, but next time, it could be different," Apotheker said.