FLORENCE, South Carolina — Florence Police are calling on the public to help identify suspects involved in a shoplifting incident at the Lowe’s located at 2301 David McLeod Blvd. on March 24, 2025. The case, identified as #2025-002683, involves individuals captured in photos released by the department, though specific details about the stolen items or the suspects’ descriptions were not provided in the initial announcement.
The Florence Police Department has a history of dealing with retail theft in the area, particularly at major stores along David McLeod Blvd. For instance, a 2021 case reported by wpde.com detailed a man charged with multiple shoplifting incidents, including one at the same Lowe’s on March 2, and another at Belk on February 24, where he allegedly struck a person with his vehicle while fleeing. More recently, a 2023 incident at Burlington on the same boulevard involved two suspects who fled in a white 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer, according to wmbfnews.com. These patterns suggest that retail theft remains a persistent issue in Florence, possibly driven by the area’s commercial density and the high resale value of stolen goods.
Sgt. Chatlosh is leading the investigation and can be reached at jchatlosh@cityofflorence.com or 843-665-3191. The department also offers an anonymous tip submission form at https://www.cognitoforms.com/CityOfFlorence/CrimeTips, encouraging community involvement without requiring tipsters to reveal their identities. While this approach fosters public participation, the lack of detailed suspect information might hinder quick identification, raising questions about whether the police are withholding details strategically or if surveillance footage is limited. Florence, with a population of about 40,000, relies on such community efforts, but the recurring nature of these crimes points to a need for stronger preventative measures in retail hubs.
