DES MOINES -- Five people are federally indicted as result of an organized retail theft investigation.  The organization, investigated by the Ottumwa Police Department, allegedly stole items from retailers and sold them on eBay accounts.

William Lavern Allen, 63, of Kirkville, Iowa, Gretchen Christine Bacon-Starr, 48, of Kirkville, Iowa and Lynn Francis Harriman, 73, of Ottumwa, Iowa are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. 

Joseph Alan Shafer, 33 of Ft. Madison, Iowa and Margaret Marie Haines, 28 of Ft. Madison, Iowa are charged on two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.    

Ottumwa police lieutenant Tom McAndrews says this crime is hard to catch.

“It's pretty common for these types of cases to come up,” says McAndrews.  “eBay is a good place sell stolen property.  It's a way to sell property away from where it actually is stolen from.  You could be in Iowa stealing property and selling it to people all over the country.  It reduces your chances of being caught selling the stolen property.”

Each count is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.

All five defendants have been released on bond.