Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Two women, Ashley Gibson Crews, 43, and Anastasia Renea Collier, 26, found themselves in handcuffs yesterday following accusations of pilfering more than $900 worth of goods from a local Target store. Crews is also facing charges related to at least seven other alleged theft incidents.

According to a detective from the Gainesville Police Department, Loss Prevention Officers (LPO) at the Target located at 3970 SW Archer Road have identified Crews as a repeat offender in “push-out” thefts, occurring at least seven times over the last month. The officers had been urging local police to intervene during her visits to curb these recurring thefts. The response finally came on January 15 when officers arrived at the store while Crews and another woman were present.

The detective detailed that the LPOs presented evidence of seven earlier instances of push-out thefts, with a total loss of $2,195.82. Crews allegedly brought bags from different stores to discreetly hide Target merchandise. Each time, she reportedly went through self-checkout, purchasing a few inexpensive items to secure a new receipt, which she could show if questioned by store staff, before walking out with more valuable goods hidden in the bags.

On January 15, Crews and Collier reportedly entered the store together, gathering items worth $1,018.49. They carefully packed these into bags Crews had brought along, according to the detective. The duo meticulously arranged the items, even using rugs to obscure other stolen merchandise.

At the self-checkout register, Crews reportedly rang up and paid for $26.89 in merchandise, and then Crews and Collier allegedly pushed a cart with $993.23 in stolen merchandise out of the store. The pair were stopped outside the store by an LPO and multiple police officers, and both were taken into custody.

Post Miranda, Crews reportedly admitted to stealing the items from Target, both on January 15 and on seven previous dates. She reportedly said this has been going on “since about August” and said she is stealing merchandise because she is not working and does not have any money.

Crews has been charged with grand theft, organized retail theft with at least five incidents within 30 days, and engaging in a scheme to defraud. She has no criminal history, and Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $175,000.

Collier has been charged with grand theft. She has no criminal history, and Judge Miller-Jones set bail at $50,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.