Polk County sheriff's deputies have made two arrests and are looking for a third suspect who they say took part in organized retail theft ring spanning a four-month period, hitting JC Penney and Beall's stores in Lakeland and Davenport.

The Sheriff's Organized Retail Crime Unit  identified three suspects it says were responsible for nine thefts. The Sheriff's Office said the suspects could be seen on security video removing shopping bags from behind the cash register and later placing items such as clothing and perfume into them, then leaving the store without paying.

• Gerald "Jalise" Cobbs, 39, Lakeland, was arrested Dec. 22 and charged with racketeering, a first-degree felony; four counts of retail theft coordinating with others and three counts of felony petty theft. The Sheriff's Office said he was the ringleader of the group and has been convicted of 16 prior thefts. His criminal history includes: shoplifting, probation violation, failure to appear, resisting without violence, trespassing, theft of state funds, forgery, passing counterfeit, drug possession, dealing in stolen property, fleeing to elude and driving while license suspended (habitual).

• Varesha Teron Perry, 30, Lakeland, also was arrested Dec. 22 and charged with racketeering, three counts of retail theft coordinating with others, petty theft and two counts petty theft first-offense, battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting with violence. She has previous arrests on charges of battery and failure to appear.

• Sunsaray Shaquille Willis, 24, Lakeland, is still at-large but is charged with racketeering, retail theft coordinating with others, retail theft coordinating with others over $3,000 and petty theft. She has previous arrests on charges of petty theft, cocaine possession and trespassing.

The first incident occurred at the Beall's Outlet store in South Lakeland on July 20. That was followed by eight other incidents at JC Penney stores in Davenport and Lakeland, with the last one occurring Nov. 30. 

In security video from the Sept. 20 incident at JC Penney of Davenport, sheriff's investigators said Cobbs and Perry can be seen entering the store, then going to an unattended cashier's counter and taking store bags. The pair are then viewed on the video as they leave the store with full bags.