A 24-year-old woman, Janeice Renee Downs, has been charged with a hefty sum of theft offenses in Multnomah County, allegedly lifting goods worth over $56,000 from a local retailer. As reported by KATU.com, Downs was slammed with an indictment this Tuesday, comprising 16 separate charges.

After the Organized Retail Theft Task Force launched its investigation, a grand jury heard the evidence and delivered its decision on April 22, according to the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office. Downs is accused on counts of organized retail theft, first-degree aggravated theft, and first-degree theft. In a bizarre twist of events that cast an ironic shadow over her actions, Downs is also suspected of swiping more than $400,000 of merchandise in Washington State, suggesting a theft spree that crosses state lines.

Details from KPTV.com outline the specific charges facing Downs: six counts of organized retail theft, three counts of first-degree aggravated theft, and seven counts of first-degree theft. The indictment follows a meticulous investigation by local authorities, in collaboration with the specialized task force, demonstrating a response to what appears to be a widening concern over organized retail crime.

The allegations, which involve a staggering amount of stolen merchandise, point to a significant operation. Downs, while only 24, seems to have been caught in the web of retail theft with ramifications that transcend Multnomah County. Accused also of heists topping $400,000, according to authorities, it looks like she will be contending with additional charges outside of the county, in a dramatic expansion of her legal woes. Her case underscores a growing alarm among retailers facing organized theft operations that not only hurt their bottom lines but also challenge local law enforcement resources.

KATU.com and KPTV.com state that as the investigation continues, more charges could be forthcoming as authorities unravel the full extent of the alleged crimes.