Florida Department of Law Enforcement Orlando Regional Operations Center special agents last week arrested three people responsible for leading a retail theft ring that stole more than $100,000 worth of merchandise from stores in Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Pasco, Flagler, Hillsborough, Seminole, Pinellas, Marion and Volusia counties.

Andrew E. Kellerson, 42, Charles T. Teall, 49, and Jason W. Davenport, 39, were charged Thursday with grand theft. Kellerson and Teall also were charged with one count of racketeering.

The investigation began in January when the FDLE was contacted by the Tavares Police Department regarding a number of thefts of Dyson vacuums from appliance stores. The investigation revealed that the thefts were taking place in a number of cities in Florida and were believed to be linked.

FDLE agents said the suspects would go into the stores, which were primarily along major highways, then allegedly took Dyson vacuums and other merchandise out of the store and later would sell the items on the Internet.

All of the suspects are in custody. Kellerson is being held in the Hillsborough County Jail, Teall is being held in the Pasco County Jail and Davenport is being held in the Gulf County Correctional Institution.