California mother alleged ‘ringleader’ behind $8M retail theft ring that hit over 200 Ulta shops, others: AG

Harris Marley

International Courant

Be a part of Fox Information for entry to this content material

Plus particular entry to pick out articles and different premium content material together with your account – freed from cost.

Please enter a sound e-mail handle.

- Advertisement -

By coming into your e-mail and pushing proceed, you’re agreeing to Fox Information’ Phrases of Use and Privateness Coverage, which incorporates our Discover of Monetary Incentive. To entry the content material, test your e-mail and comply with the directions offered.
Having bother? Click on right here.

A California mother is accused of orchestrating a nationwide shoplifting scheme that stole tens of millions of {dollars} value of make-up and clothes from lots of of shops for greater than a decade, based on the California Division of Justice.

In response to a grievance filed by California Legal professional Normal Rob Bonta, greater than $300,000 value of make-up and different merchandise have been present in Michelle Mack, 53, and Kenneth Mack’s shared Bonsall house when a search warrant was served on Dec. 6, 2023.

Mack allegedly paid for air fares, lodges and automobile rental prices for as much as a dozen ladies who would exit and steal items earlier than sending them to Mack’s house. Mack would then allegedly promote the stolen items at a reduction on her Amazon Market storefront.

Her group, which investigators have known as the ‘California Women’, operated in additional than a dozen states across the nation, concentrating on shops together with LensCrafters, Sephora and at the very least 231 Ulta shops, based on NBC San Diego. 

- Advertisement -

FLORIDA AUTHORITIES ARREST ALLEGED RETAIL THEFT RING MEMBERS ACCUSED OF STEALING $90K WORTH OF GOODS

A California mom-of-three has been accused of masterminding an organized crime ring that stole almost $8 million value of make-up and garments from shops throughout the nation. (Michelle Mack Fb account)

Police uncovered what they described as a “mini retailer,” full of magnificence merchandise, sun shades and designer luggage inside Mack’s storage. Additionally they situated lots of of postmarked envelopes that have been full of stolen merchandise able to be despatched out to clients, based on investigators.

- Advertisement -

Bonta filed 140 felony expenses in opposition to Mack, her husband Kenneth, and 7 different alleged members of the crime ring. The fees embody conspiracy to commit organized retail theft, grand theft and receipt of stolen property.

All of the defendants have pleaded not responsible.

DC THIEVES WALK OUT OF MONCLER WITH OVER $36K WORTH OF MERCHANDISE

Michelle Mack, 53, ran the sprawling enterprise from her house within the San Diego foothills, based on authorities. (California Freeway Patrol)

“It is a multimillion-dollar felony scheme. It was complicated. It was orchestrated,” Bonta stated in a press launch from February asserting the fees. “We’re not speaking about garden-variety shoplifting.”

Bonta stated that whereas the present losses are calculated at almost $8 million, the investigation is ongoing, and it is attainable the entire loss may find yourself exceeding that quantity.

“In the event you attempt to make a simple buck off of different individuals’s onerous work, we are going to arrest you and prosecute you,” Bonta stated, as expenses have been filed. “We’re addressing an audacious occasion of organized retail theft and making it clear that such felony exercise is not going to be accepted in California.”

2 ALLEGED MEMBERS OF NOTORIOUS ‘KIA BOYS’ CAR THEFT RING CAUGHT AFTER WASHINGTON HEISTS: COPS

A grievance alleges Michelle Mack of Bonsall was the ringleader of an organized nationwide crime ring that stole almost $8 million value of make-up and different items from shops, together with lots of of Ulta Cosmetics shops throughout the U.S., and re-sold them on her on-line Amazon storefront. (California Freeway Patrol)

Courtroom information additionally revealed incriminating texts between Mack, her husband, and a few of the different ladies charged, authorities alleged.

“I’m not stealing common I’m going to begin filling up my bag fast. So I need to know stuff I can seize in bulks too,” defendant Kimora Lee Gooding texted Mack on Jan. 7, 2023.

Days later, Mack texted her husband, “Even with out Lancome we nonetheless did properly,” and he texted her “A number of orders let’s get transport.” 

FEDS CHARGE 4 IN $21M CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT RING

California Legal professional Normal Rob Bonta filed 140 felony expenses in opposition to Mack, her husband Kenneth Mack, and 7 different alleged members of the crime ring.  (California Freeway Patrol)

Mack’s group repeatedly stole from a spread or retailers like Sephora, Ulta, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Prada, Tub & Physique Works, Victoria’s Secret, Luxottica’s Sunglass Hut and LensCrafters, prosecutors stated.

LAPD SEEKS TO REUNITE OVER 50 STOLEN LUXURY PURSES SEIZED IN RAID TO RIGHTFUL OWNERS

An Ulta Magnificence spokesperson informed Fox Information Digital that they’re proud to accomplice with the California Division of Justice and Legal professional Normal’s Workplace on this investigation, and are grateful for his or her dedication to this vital subject. 

Michelle Mack is accused of working a serious retail crime ring that allegedly stole almost $8 million value of high-end make up and different luxurious items. (Michelle Mack/Fb)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“The rise in organized retail crime impacts all retailers, shoppers and communities, and we imagine it’s vital to take motion to discourage the criminals perpetuating this drawback. Not solely does organized retail crime jeopardize the security of our retailer associates and company, nevertheless it additionally leads to probably unsafe or broken merchandise being resold on-line to shoppers below false pretenses,” the spokesperson stated. “We are going to proceed to work carefully with authorities to lower the prevalence of retail theft that not solely impacts our shops however retailers nationwide.” 

California mother alleged ‘ringleader’ behind $8M retail theft ring that hit over 200 Ulta shops, others: AG

World Information,Subsequent Large Factor in Public Knowledg

Share This Article
slot ilk21 ilk21 ilk21