Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrests this week of two Venezuelan illegal aliens accused of an organized retail theft scheme targeting Ulta Beauty stores across the state.
According to the attorney general, Willy Jesus Diaz Pelayo and Maikol Eduardo Garcia Sanchez allegedly stole perfumes and colognes, which they hid in their pants, from 40 different stores as part of a nationwide theft scheme from January to November of last year. The thefts, from Jacksonville to Miami, totaled $47,000 in Florida and $166,000 nationwide.
The Palm Beach Gardens Police Department, the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, and Florida’s Retail Theft Investigative Special Task Force led the investigation, which resulted in the arrest of Pelayo and Sanchez in Palm Beach County.
“Bringing together local law enforcement and our Statewide Prosecutors is why we launched the Retail Theft Special Task Force,” Uthmeier said. “Retail theft is not a victimless crime; every consumer feels the effects when retailers are forced to raise their prices. We will push for the toughest penalties possible on these criminals to protect businesses and consumers.”
Both men have ICE detainers and are facing felony charges. Pelayo is charged with one count of Organized Retail Theft, while Sanchez is charged with two counts of the same crime.
Pelayo and Sanchez face up to 15 and 30 years in prison if convicted. They will also be deported upon completion of their sentences.
Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Chris Olowin will prosecute the case.
Attorney General Uthmeier announced the launch of a Retail Theft Investigative Special Task Force to combat growing concerns of theft in Florida back in November. Uthmeier's "zero tolerance" policy comes amid retail theft crimes in places like California and New York.
“Instead of having toothpaste locked behind plexiglass like CA & NY, we are taking decisive action to combat organized retail theft,” Uthmeier said at the time. “Shoppers suffer when retail thefts drive up prices. This partnership between law enforcement and the Florida Retail Federation will help keep prices down and put criminals behind bars.”
