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Fairfax County police charged three teenagers after officers recovered more than $4,500 in merchandise allegedly stolen from clothing stores in Tysons and Merrifield on June 3.

Detectives from the Tysons Urban Team responded around 12:38 p.m. to a reported theft at a store in the 1900 block of Chain Bridge Road. An employee told police that three young women had grabbed clothing and fled without paying.

During the investigation, detectives connected the group to similar thefts at several other stores in Tysons Corner Center and identified a vehicle in a nearby parking garage. A loss prevention officer at another store in the 2000 block of International Drive also reported a similar incident soon afterward.

Officers assigned to auto crimes enforcement used Flock automated license plate cameras to locate the vehicle in the 2900 block of District Avenue in Merrifield. Police said the three people inside were taken into custody without incident.

The department has promoted license plate readers as a crime-fighting tool, though the technology has also raised concerns about privacy and surveillance.

Two 18-year-old women from Washington, D.C., were each charged with three counts of grand larceny, possession of stolen property with intent to sell, conspiracy to commit larceny and petit larceny. One also faces a charge of possessing burglarious tools.

Both were released on unsecured $2,000 bonds.

A 17-year-old from Maryland was charged by juvenile petition with three counts of grand larceny, larceny with intent to sell or distribute, conspiracy to commit a felony and petit larceny. She was released to her parents.

Police said all the merchandise was recovered and returned to the retailers.