- Three D.C. residents arrested for a months-long series of retail candle thefts in Fairfax County.
- Investigators linked over $32,000 in losses from Kingstowne, Fair Oaks, and Springfield stores.
- The arrests followed coordination between Fairfax detectives and U.S. Marshals.
- Charges include grand larceny, conspiracy, and larceny with intent to sell.
- Police are urging residents to share tips and register security cameras to prevent similar crimes.
What started as a single shoplifting report on a February afternoon in Fairfax County soon unraveled into one of the most coordinated theft sprees the region has seen in recent years — and the preferred target wasn’t cash or electronics. It was candles.
On February 2, around 1:00 p.m., officers responded to a grand larceny call at a Kingstowne Center retail store. According to the complaint, three individuals entered the business and left swiftly with bags of stolen merchandise — well before police arrived. While the incident initially seemed isolated, more thefts began to surface in the weeks that followed, each sharing the same pattern: quick entry, coordinated team, and a focus on candles and personal care items.
Over the course of four months, detectives at the Fairfax County Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division noticed a growing footprint of theft reports — not just in Kingstowne but across Fair Oaks and even Springfield. The total value of stolen goods exceeded $32,000. The stolen items, primarily scented candles, were believed to be resold for profit.
By late May, law enforcement had assembled a comprehensive timeline and suspect profile. The Fugitive Tracking and Apprehension Team partnered with the U.S. Marshals Service to act on the intelligence. On May 29, they arrested three individuals in Washington, D.C., for their roles in what authorities now call an “organized retail theft operation,” according to Fairfax County Police.
The suspects — all D.C. residents — now face a range of charges. Thirty-four-year-old Delontae Shaw was charged with ten counts of Grand Larceny and ten counts of Larceny with Intent to Sell. Twenty-five-year-old Sincere Stewart was charged with four counts of Conspiracy to Commit Larceny. Devon Owens, 28, was charged with five counts each of Grand Larceny and Larceny with Intent to Sell. All three are currently being held at the Washington D.C. Central Detention Facility as they await extradition to Fairfax County.
Detectives estimate the thefts peaked in April, with multiple incidents occurring just days apart. In total, the suspects struck stores at least 15 times across three locations — Kingstowne Center, Fair Oaks on Route 50, and one site in Springfield. Below is a timeline summarizing the reported incidents and estimated losses:
Timeline of Reported Theft Incidents
| Date | Location | Estimated Loss |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 10, 2025 | Kingstowne Center | $1,802.45 |
| Feb 25, 2025 | Kingstowne Center | $1,758.05 |
| Mar 15, 2025 | Kingstowne Center | $1,095.60 |
| Mar 24, 2025 | Kingstowne Center | $1,888.55 |
| Mar 28, 2025 | Kingstowne Center | $1,653.42 |
| Apr 3, 2025 | Fair Oaks (Route 50) | $2,051.00 |
| Apr 7, 2025 | Fair Oaks (Route 50) | $4,319.05 |
| Apr 8, 2025 | Kingstowne Center | $2,000.00 |
| Apr 22, 2025 | Kingstowne Center | $1,282.68 |
| Apr 23, 2025 | Kingstowne Center | $2,464.55 |
| Apr 24, 2025 | Fair Oaks (Route 50) | $3,100.00 |
| May 2, 2025 | Kingstowne Center | $849.25 |
| May 13, 2025 | Fair Oaks (Route 50) | $2,620.45 |
| May 21, 2025 | Fair Oaks (Route 50) | $3,518.40 |
| May 25, 2025 | Frontier Drive, Springfield | $600.00 |
With the suspects now in custody, Fairfax Police are turning to the community for assistance in ensuring similar crews do not operate undetected. Anyone with information about these or related incidents is urged to contact the Franconia District Station at 703-922-0889. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Rewards of up to $5,000 are available.
Residents can also support ongoing investigations by registering their security systems through the county’s Connect Fairfax program — a growing database designed to help locate missing persons, solve crimes, and strengthen neighborhood watch efforts.
Source: Fairfax County Police Department Public Affairs Bureau
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