Leaders of Johnson City House of Sport Theft Ring Going to Prison

Two Binghamton residents described as the "major leaders" of a band of thieves who targeted Dick's House of Sport in the Oakdale Commons have been sentenced.

Authorities said 26-year-old Damani Mizell and 24-year-old Lyteik Gadson pleaded guilty to attempted criminal enterprise. Each was sentenced to three to six years in prison.

28-year-old Andre Forbes of Binghamton, who had worked at the store, also entered a guilty plea in the case. He was sentenced to five years probation.

Mizell and Gadson, who were not employed by House of Sport, were described as "the big fish" in the scheme.

Investigators on Wednesday said about $70,000 worth of merchandise had been stolen from the Johnson City store last December and January.

Dick's Sporting Goods representatives contacted village police after the store's software resulted in the discovery of the illegal activity.

Detectives set up a surveillance operation at the store and observed several suspicious transactions in progress.

Investigators previously said store employees had worked with other people to "facilitate large and unauthorized discounts" of merchandise. Some of the discounts were for 99 percent off the actual price of the goods.

Some of the items were recovered when police searched homes and vehicles. People in the retail theft ring obtained big discounts for apparel and footwear.

Officials did not reveal what happened to others who were charged last January in the investigation.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.