A Delaware County grand jury returned a seven-count indictment against a group of Marion residents that allegedly operated a theft ring in central Ohio.

Jamey Rose, 35, Amber Rose, 36, Jill Columber, 43, and Ian Thacker, 32, were indicted Friday in Delaware County Common Pleas Court. Each was charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a first-degree felony; four counts of money laundering, all third-degree felonies; and two counts of theft, fifth-degree felonies.

“The defendants in this case worked in tandem,” said Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O’Brien. “One person would shoplift and give the stolen items to the next person who would return the items for store credit. Yet another person would either use the store credit or sell it in order to obtain drugs.”

The indictment says the group operated throughout central Ohio from Jan. 1, 2011, to April 1, 2015.

Prosecutors say the group would go to stores including pet stores, grocery stores, hardware stores and several large retails. Prosecutors reported that in some of the stores, video surveillance is available.

Prosecutors said the investigation was conducted by the Central Ohio Organized Retail Crime Task Force, which includes the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, among others.

“Organized retail crime not only hurts local businesses, but it also ultimately drives up prices for average consumers,” said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. “I commend the Central Ohio Organized Retail Crime Task Force for their work in investigating this case, and our office will continue to work closely with local law enforcement to put a stop to theft rings.”

Arraignments in Delaware County Common Pleas Court have not been set.