Scheme spanned 21 California counties resulting in nearly $8 Million in Losses
“All of us pay higher prices as a result of retail theft. In addition, these crimes put our personal safety at risk. We applaud the efforts of California DOJ special agents and their law enforcement partners for investigating these types of cases.”
– CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
SAN DIEGO – On February 16, 2024, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced charges against the suspected ringleader of an organized retail crime scheme, as well as multiple members of her organized retail crime ring. The scheme spanned 21 counties and involved an estimated $8 million worth of beauty products.
The investigation was conducted by the:
- California Department of Justice (DOJ),
- California Highway Patrol (CHP),
- Department of Homeland Security,
- U.S. Postal Inspection Service
- Ulta’s Loss Prevention Organized Retail Crime team
- Sephora Representatives.
It is alleged that the suspected ringleader of the scheme paid more than seven people to steal from Ulta Beauty stores, as well as other retail outlets. The ringleader would then sell the stolen cosmetic items on her Amazon storefront.
“Organized retail crime has significant financial and safety implications for businesses, retailers, and consumers,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Today, we are addressing an audacious instance of organized retail theft and making it clear that such criminal activity will not be accepted in California.”
It is alleged that the suspected ringleader sold the stolen goods on her online Amazon storefront for a fraction of the retail price and recruited many young women to enter cosmetic stores and commit bulk thefts of specific high-demand makeup products to supply her with inventory for her online store.
The suspects responsible for these thefts were caught on surveillance and have been charged in this case as well. Upon a search of the suspected ringleader’s residence, large amounts of makeup products were found stored, organized, and prepped for shipping, still in manufacturer packaging.
Retailers from Ulta and Sephora assisted in conducting inventory of an estimated $400,000 in recovered product during the recent searches of residences. Nationwide loss due to this multi-year theft operation is estimated at more than $7.8 million. The charges, brought by the California Department of Justice, include organized retail theft, conspiracy, receipt of stolen property, and multiple counts of grand theft.
The thefts occurred in Alameda, Placer, Kern, Contra Costa, Orange, Los Angeles, Santa Clara, San Diego, Sacramento, San Mateo, Solano, Riverside, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Napa, Marin, Tulare, San Bernardino, Sonoma, Ventura, and Yolo counties.
