Michelle Mack, a San Diego County Resident is Charged in $8M Shoplifting Ring Targeting Ulta Beauty Stores

It is alleged that the leader of the operation paid over seven individuals to steal merchandise from Ulta Beauty stores and other retailers, which she then sold on her Amazon storefront. Throughout the investigation, agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, California DOJ, USPS, and CHP worked closely with the retail crime teams of Ulta and Sephora.

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California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced charges against Michelle Mack from San Diego County, accusing her of orchestrating a statewide retail crime spree involving over $8 million worth of beauty products. The scheme allegedly targeted Ulta Beauty stores in 21 counties across California, including San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, and Riverside counties.

“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. As the leading law enforcement official in our state, my dedication lies in actively pursuing and bringing to justice those who violate the law. Ending crime is a team effort.“

The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the California Department of Justice (DOJ), California Highway Patrol (CHP), Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, in collaboration with Ulta's Loss Prevention Organized Retail Crime team and representatives from Sephora.

It is alleged that the leader of the operation paid over seven individuals to steal merchandise from Ulta Beauty stores and other retailers, which she then sold on her Amazon storefront. Throughout the investigation, agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, California DOJ, USPS, and CHP worked closely with the retail crime teams of Ulta and Sephora.

“The strong partnership that exists between law enforcement, prosecutors, and retailers is not just crucial – it’s the foundation in the fight against organized retail crime,” said California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee. “The CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force frequently collaborates with all stakeholders to identify solutions for reducing organized retail theft, identifying current trends, sharing best practices, and share actionable intelligence. This case is the perfect example of collaboration resulting in justice.”

Mack is accused of recruiting young women to steal beauty products from Ulta locations in 21 counties, later selling these items at a discounted rate on her Amazon storefront.

“Ulta Beauty is proud to partner with the California Department of Justice and Attorney General’s Office on this investigation, and we are grateful for their commitment to this important issue,” said Dan Petrousek, Senior Vice President of Loss Prevention at Ulta Beauty. “The rise in organized retail crime affects all retailers, consumers, and communities, and we believe it’s important to take action to deter the criminals perpetuating this problem.

Not only does organized retail crime jeopardize the safety of our store associates and guests, but it also results in potentially unsafe or damaged products being resold online to consumers under false pretenses. We will continue to work closely with authorities to decrease the occurrence of retail theft that not only affects our stores but retailers nationwide.”

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It is alleged that the leader of the operation sold the stolen items on her Amazon storefront at significantly reduced prices and recruited numerous young women to steal large quantities of specific high-demand makeup products from retail stores to stock her online store. The individuals responsible for these thefts were captured on surveillance footage and have also been charged in connection with this case.

Upon searching the leader's residence, authorities discovered substantial amounts of makeup products stored, organized, and prepared for shipping, all still in their original packaging. Retailers from Ulta and Sephora assisted in assessing an estimated $400,000 worth of recovered products during recent searches of residences.

The total nationwide loss from this multi-year theft operation is estimated to exceed $7.8 million. Charges filed by the California Department of Justice include Organized Retail Theft, Conspiracy, Receipt of Stolen Property, and multiple counts of Grand Theft.

The thefts took place 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. Pictures of the stolen goods can be found in the linked document below:

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