New Port Richey Man Arrested, Accused of Leading Retail Theft Ring

Three members of a retail theft ring accused of lifting about $200,000 worth of goods over six months in at least three Tampa Bay counties and selling the loot online have been arrested in Pasco County.

Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Patrick Nierwinski of New Port Richey, Damian Watson, unknown address, and Dawn Coley, of St. Petersburg. Shaun Loree, of Port Richey, is in the Hillsborough County Jail on other charges and is expected to face Pasco charges. Other arrests are being made and other charges are anticipated.

Members of the ring targeted retail and drug stores in Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough and, possibly, Hernando counties. The suspects preferred to steal Crest teeth white strips, Rogaine, and diet pills.

Loree was caught on video lifting merchandise from a Target in Trinity and being picked up in a Jeep by Watson. The theft, which netted $1,000, was mostly of Crest teeth whitening strips.

Nierwinski was the leader of the group, detectives say. He bought the stolen
goods from the others and sold them on eBay and Craigslist.

According to Sgt. Chris Beaman of the Pasco Sheriff's Office economic crimes unit, the investigation began in November. Some of the retailers brought the trend in thefts to the sheriff's office's attention.

An undercover sheriff's detective was put on the case. He brought items donated by Target, Publix and Walgreens to Nierwinski. Nierwinski bought them believing they were stolen, detectives say.

"The retailers were instrumental," in bringing the case to light, Beaman said.  He also said the suspects were using the sale proceeds to fund prescription drug addictions.

Kevin Doll, a spokesman for the Sheriff's Office, said they were "(feeding) a prescription pill addiction."

Nierwinski was charged with dealing in stolen property. Watson was charged with grand theft worth more thean $300 but less than $5,000. Coley was arrested on a past warrant and charged with violation. Nierwinski amd Wartson have been released from the Land O' Lakes Jail.