A Winlock couple stands accused of operating a sophisticated bait-and-switch retail theft ring in Cowlitz and Columbia counties that may have snatched up thousands of dollars in merchandise last year.

Authorities say Wayne Ralph Johnston, 43, and his wife, Donna Jean Huckabee, also 43, were buying electronics and other expensive items from area retailers, then handing off the receipts to an accomplice, who would pluck an identical item off the store’s shelf. The original receipt would then be used to trick the store’s employees into believing the item had been paid for.

Members of the ring would later return the item they had purchased for a refund, according to court documents.

Johnston is said to be the leader of the ring, which involves about a half-dozen people. He and Huckabee were arraigned this week on charges of leading organized crime, trafficking in stolen property, third-degree theft and second-degree theft.

The scam was used to procure a flat screen TV, a computer, steam cleaner and a kitchen mixer from Wal-Mart stores in Longview and Saint Helens as well as the Longview Fred Meyer, according to court documents. Much of the activity, authorities said, was recorded on the stores’ surveillance video.

In addition, Huckabee and an accomplice, AhmiejJo Wiensch, are accused of trying to take a $1,380 LCD TV from Fred Meyer without paying for it in May. Longview police said they abandoned the plan when they realized they were being observed. Huckabee and Wiensch also tucked two GPS units into a baby stroller at Radio Shack in Longview in August and left without paying for them, according to police.

Authorities said that Huckabee alone has been involved in the “systematic theft” of nearly $2,300 in items on four occasions.

Separately, Johnston and Huckabee are expected to stand trial April 20 on charges of first-degree custodial interference, first-degree kidnapping and second-degree assault. Authorities say the pair tried to hold their young grandchildren hostage in October until the children’s mother brought them money to buy meth.