Regina Blackshear is a former professional shoplifter from Toledo, Ohio, known as the “Queen of Furs,” who says she stole close to $20 million in luxury furs, jewelry, and designer goods over roughly two decades before prison ended her criminal career.1VladTV. Regina Blackshear aka The Queen of Furs on Stealing $20M in Luxury Goods Her story reached a wide audience in late 2025 through a BET+ profile and a multi-part VladTV interview.
How She Started
Blackshear was born and raised in Toledo and began shoplifting at 14 after her mother exposed her to stolen clothing.1VladTV. Regina Blackshear aka The Queen of Furs on Stealing $20M in Luxury Goods By 20 she had made more than $300,000 as a full-time “booster,” working across state lines during the crack era.2VladTV. Regina Blackshear on High Speed Police Chase After Getting Caught Stealing, Going to Prison Her two older children were largely raised by relatives while she was active.
The Fur and Jewelry Operation
The larger operation started when Blackshear was around 21 and still on parole. She and a small crew targeted high-end fur and jewelry stores, using master keys to get inside.3VladTV. Regina Blackshear on Getting Caught After Stealing $19M from Jewelry Stores Her signature method was concealment: she said she could hide up to three bulky fur coats at a time under tight girdles worn beneath her clothes.
The focus was mink, sable, and lynx, with many individual coats carrying retail prices near $100,000. By 1994, she said, she had taken more than $1 million in furs alone.3VladTV. Regina Blackshear on Getting Caught After Stealing $19M from Jewelry Stores She fenced the coats for about half of retail on a black market that included celebrities and other wealthy buyers.4The Futon Critic. American Gangster Trap Queens S4B Returns on BET+ Her total take across furs, jewelry, and designer goods, by her own count, approached $20 million.
How She Got Caught
Blackshear was first arrested around age 20 after being spotted shoplifting in a department store while teaching a friend how to steal. She ran to her car, and the pursuit turned into a high-speed chase that ended when officers deployed spike strips.2VladTV. Regina Blackshear on High Speed Police Chase After Getting Caught Stealing, Going to Prison She was convicted of grand theft and fleeing police and served a year at the Marysville camp in Ohio.
She was arrested again in 1999. One arrest during that period happened while she was stealing a fur coat with her four-year-old daughter beside her.5VladTV. Regina Blackshear on Giving Birth in Jail, Arrested Stealing Fur with 4-Year-Old Daughter Blackshear learned she was pregnant while incarcerated and gave birth to her third child in a state prison, shackled to the bed during labor. She was given four days with the baby before her boyfriend took the child home.
Her final job came in 2006, when she joined a jewelry heist crew. The job went wrong, she was caught, and she received another prison sentence. The length was not detailed in her public interviews.1VladTV. Regina Blackshear aka The Queen of Furs on Stealing $20M in Luxury Goods
Where She Is Now
Blackshear says she has left the life behind and is focused on her children and grandchildren. In her December 2025 VladTV interview, she acknowledged the harm her thefts caused small businesses and store employees, and said the “fast money” ultimately left her with nothing.1VladTV. Regina Blackshear aka The Queen of Furs on Stealing $20M in Luxury Goods Her story was featured on Season 4B of American Gangster: Trap Queens, which premiered on BET+ in November 2025.4The Futon Critic. American Gangster Trap Queens S4B Returns on BET+