Marauding Gang of Drag Queen Bandits Captured in Florida

A trio of drag queen bandits who’ve been accused of stealing “thousands of dollars of filmy fabrics, sequins, feather boas, and other accessories” from stores across Florida have been apprehended, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

“It's a whole gang of drag queens,” said Amanda Marshall, manager of Jo-Ann Fabrics in Orlando, after police arrested three suspects Sept. 18. “They were real upset when the police made them take their wigs off.”

All three cross-dressing shoplifters had been spotted pilfering items from fabric and craft stores in the region. At the time of their arrest, one man had stuffed his man bag with five packs of black feathers, two packs of red feathers, two packs of red lace gloves, two packs of black red lace gloves, eyelashes, five bra pads, five butt pads, five gel inserts as well as three handbags, two boas, three pairs of costume glasses, and 10 bandannas.

“They'd come in and order yards of fabric at up to $39.99 a yard, stuff it in their man purses and leave without paying,” Marshall said. “Oh, gosh, they could wipe out a whole section of boas in seconds…”

According to police reports, Demitri Marsh, 19, swore at a Jo-Ann clerk and threatened to “cut her” before fleeing. Marsh, Renford Patterson, 18, and Antonio Webb, 22, were all charged with felony retail theft of merchandise.