A Seattle-area mother and daughter accused of stealing more than $7,000 in Louis Vuitton handbags allegedly celebrated the haul by posting a TikTok video set to Yung Miami’s new song, “Spend Dat,” giving investigators a key piece of evidence in the case.
According to Bellevue Police and King County prosecutors, Janeice Renee Downs, who also goes by Janeice Smith and “Punchy,” and her mother, Janeice Wiley, were arrested June 12 after investigators linked them to the alleged theft at Nordstrom’s downtown Seattle store.
Prosecutors allege Downs and another suspect distracted a sales associate before stealing two Louis Vuitton handbags on June 6. Surveillance footage allegedly captured the theft, with Downs wearing a full-face burqa-style covering that investigators say matched disguises used in previous retail theft cases.
Authorities say the investigation took a dramatic turn when a TikTok video surfaced the next day.
Court records allege Wiley appeared in the video dancing with handbags resembling the stolen Louis Vuitton merchandise while Yung Miami’s “Spend Dat” played in the background as part of the viral “Spend Dat” TikTok challenge. Detectives also identified similar handbags on Downs’ Instagram account.
Investigators compared the social media posts with store surveillance footage and cited matching details, including distinctive white-painted toenails, black sandals and the face covering allegedly worn during the theft.
A law enforcement source familiar with the investigation called the social media posts “a classic case of self-snitching,” suggesting the videos helped detectives identify the suspects.
The case marks another legal setback for Downs. She previously pleaded guilty in an organized retail theft investigation. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in allegedly stolen merchandise across Washington, Oregon and California.
Bellevue Police Capt. Landon Barnwell described Downs as “one of the region’s most prolific organized retail theft criminals.”
“They drive up prices for everyone and hurt local businesses,” Barnwell said.
Downs remains jailed on $215,000 bail while facing a new first-degree organized retail theft charge. Prosecutors are also seeking to keep her in custody as the case proceeds. Wiley was released after posting bond.
The allegations remain unproven, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
