MANCHESTER, Mo. – A shopping trip gone wrong at a Manchester Costco led to a multi-state investigation uncovering a sophisticated crime spree. The three suspects are still on the loose. 

It all began when a shopper’s wallet was taken from her cart at Costco in April 2023. Within minutes, her stolen credit cards were used at a nearby Walmart. Police stated one of the transactions included $400 in gift cards. Additionally, the suspects used three of her cards to launder money. 

“The husband of the victim got a fraud alert that the card was being used at Walmart. (He) called his wife, and she thought the card was still in her purse. Our officers went over to Walmart but the suspects were gone already, but they were able to get video and pictures. The pictures lead them to a vehicle on the parking lot,” Manchester Police Department Chief Edward Skaggs said.

Police reviewed surveillance video from both stores and identified the suspects vehicle—a blue 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV. Two suspects, 58-year-old Reginald McNeal and 37-year-old Ladaisey Atwater, both from Chicago, have been charged with felony theft and fraudulent card use. A third suspect remains unidentified.

“Returning back to Costco, we found that Costco’s lost prevention had information of these incidents and these suspects involved in Indiana,” Skaggs added. 

Detectives linked the suspects to similar thefts at Costco locations across multiple states, with the help of Manchester police detectives.

“Makes us locals feel a lot better to have cops looking after it. Making sure these people are being caught for it,” resident Sean Geimer said.

The suspects remain on the loose, but police will be issuing arrest warrants. If you see the suspects or their blue Volkswagen Tiguan SUV, call 911 immediately.