Savannah Best Buy Employee Charged in $40,000 Shoplifting Spree

Police say the employee claimed he was blackmailed into helping the theft ring.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 1:07pm

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A Savannah Best Buy employee has been charged with theft by taking after allegedly allowing a shoplifting ring to steal over $40,000 worth of merchandise from the store. The employee claimed he was being blackmailed by a "hacker group" that threatened to share nude photos of him if he didn't cooperate.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of organized retail crime, where criminal groups target stores and exploit vulnerabilities like blackmailing employees. It also raises questions about store security protocols and employee protections against coercion.

The details

According to the police report, the Best Buy general manager contacted authorities on December 26 about a series of thefts at the store. Surveillance footage showed 20-year-old employee Dorian Allen allowing people to leave without paying. Allen told police he was approached by an older woman weeks earlier who threatened to share his nude photos if he didn't help a "hacker group" steal from the store. Allen said he assisted the thieves in loading merchandise, including dozens of gaming consoles and electronics, into a black Hyundai vehicle. The total value of the stolen goods was estimated at $40,734.19.

  • On December 26, Best Buy management contacted police about the thefts.
  • In January, Savannah police shared surveillance photos of the suspects.

The players

Dorian Allen

A 20-year-old Best Buy employee who was charged with theft by taking for allegedly allowing a shoplifting ring to steal over $40,000 worth of merchandise from the store.

Brenda Gardner, Savannah Pendergraph, Shabria Summers, Leslie Bostic, and Chrystal Small

Five individuals charged with theft by receiving stolen property in connection with the shoplifting spree.

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What they’re saying

“Allen told police that he had been approached by an older woman weeks earlier at his register and that a "hacker group" had threatened to share nude photos he had posted on Instagram if he didn't help them.”

— Dorian Allen, Best Buy Employee (CBS News Atlanta)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Dorian Allen to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing threat of organized retail crime and the need for better employee protections against coercion. It also raises questions about store security protocols and how to prevent such large-scale thefts from occurring.