In a bizarre twist of events, a mother-daughter duo from western Washington has found themselves back in the spotlight for a brazen theft that has left many shaking their heads. Janice DS, also known as Janice Smith or “Punchy,” is back behind bars just months after her release from prison, following a theft spree that has gone 𝓿𝒾𝓇𝒶𝓁 for all the wrong reasons.
Bellevue police have charged Janice DS with organized retail theft after a TikTok video surfaced, allegedly showing her flaunting two stolen Louis Vuitton purses worth over $7,000. The video, set to Young Miami’s catchy track “Spendat,” was posted just five days after the theft at a Nordstrom in Seattle. In a twist of irony, Janice DS’s daughter, who was reportedly involved in the heist, showcased the stolen bags on her Instagram shortly thereafter.
This isn’t the first time the pair has made headlines. Two years ago, they were implicated in a massive organized retail theft operation, accused of stealing over half a million dollars in Lululemon merchandise. Janice DS had previously pleaded guilty to multiple counts of theft, receiving a 33-month prison sentence, but her brief stint of freedom was short-lived.
Bellevue PD Captain Landon Barnwell expressed disbelief that Janice DS would return to her old ways so soon after her release. “You would think that after what she experienced, she might change her behavior,” he noted, but it seems the temptation was too great.
According to court documents, detectives recognized Janice DS from a bulletin about a separate theft involving nearly $4,000 worth of fragrances from Macy’s. Surveillance footage revealed her wearing a burka as a disguise during the Nordstrom theft, where she and an accomplice worked in tandem to distract the clerk while they made off with the expensive purses.
On June 12, authorities apprehended Janice DS and her mother in a parking lot at Westfield South Center Mall. Interestingly, Janice DS was reportedly still wearing the same burka and sandals as in the surveillance footage from the Nordstrom heist. Currently, she is being held on a hefty $215,000 bail, which includes charges related to a fugitive warrant from Oregon.
In a courtroom 𝒹𝓇𝒶𝓂𝒶, Janice DS’s defense team attempted to restrict media coverage of her case, arguing it could taint the jury pool. However, the judge denied their request, emphasizing that her face is already widely recognized due to her social media activity.
This peculiar case raises questions about the motivations behind their actions. How could they flaunt their alleged crimes so publicly, seemingly daring authorities to take notice? As the story unfolds, one can’t help but wonder what the future holds for this notorious duo and whether they will ever learn from their past mistakes.