Milwaukee accused serial shoplifters; Three women charged, one on the run

MILWAUKEE – Three Milwaukee women are accused of stealing thousands of dollars' worth of merchandise from stores over several months. The defendants include 23-year-old Makayla Jones Spencer, 22-year-old Tajla Smith and 19-year-old Martrese Robinson. Robinson remains on the run.

The three defendants are accused of the following:

• Retail Felony, 9 counts (Jones Spencer)
• Released on bail, 18 counts (Jones Spencer)
• Felony Retail Theft (Smith, Robinson)
• Released on bail, 2 counts (Smith)

According to the criminal complaint, Makayla Jones Spencer and Tajla Smith “have been known and prolific retail thieves at multiple retail stores in the state of Wisconsin since early 2019. Both were found by employees to “regularly steal from Kohl’s.” Marshals, Walgreens and Burlington in Milwaukee County.

In June 2024, a Burlington store investigator began tracking a group of suspected retail thefts. His employees were able to identify the three defendants via surveillance video, the complaint states. According to Burlington records, the defendants were observed stealing from stores nine times from June to August. In each of the incidents, the complaint states that Jones Spencer was either alone or acting with another person and stole merchandise valued between $697 and $1,496. The goods included everything from children's clothing, baby bottles, men's underwear, suitcases, comforters and more. The complaint states that the defendants left the store without paying for the goods and got into a light blue Kia Sedona. Officials say the Kia's license plate was the same each time.

During their investigation, Milwaukee Police discovered a Facebook profile account with the title “Makayla Jones.” The profile “had multiple posts selling baby and children’s clothing,” the complaint says. The term “BIGBOOSTER” was also used on the profile introduction label. “It has become apparent to law enforcement that the term “booster” is being used to identify someone who steals the stolen items and then sells them,” the complaint states.

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The complaint further states that Jones Spencer has several open cases involving criminal retail theft in several counties. The same goes for Smith.

According to online court records, Jones Spencer and Smith made their initial court appearances in Milwaukee County on Wednesday, October 2nd. Cash bail for each was set at $10,000.

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An arrest warrant was issued for Robinson.