rihana cosmeticsperfume and cosmetics stores are a few blocks away. Macy's The flagship in midtown Manhattan will reportedly be $ 1,000,000 Items stolen from retailers such as Macy's; Ulta Beauty, CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg filed the charges as part of a long-term investigation in collaboration with these retailers. two People, shops, One counts each offense of possession of stolen property in the first, second, and third degrees.
“Our investigation revealed that Rihana's Cosmetics is well known to shoplifters who are willing to bring stolen goods to us,” Bragg said. CNBC. “We argue that this created the motive for the shoplifters to steal and that the defendants were therefore the promoters of the crime.”
Details of the Manhattan DA's investigation
According to court documents and statements on the record, the store stocked branded wallets, over-the-counter medications, kitchen utensils, toys, household electronics and other items not typically sold in perfume and cosmetics stores. In January 2024, the prosecutor's office executed a search warrant on the store and its storage room and discovered stolen items filling the store. 450 A medium sized cardboard box.Macy's was the source $212,000 Equivalent products, the rest will be collected from cooperating retailers and cooperating stores. Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works And that NHL store.
“Retail theft is a scourge that impacts local businesses and puts the safety of employees and customers alike at risk,” Bragg said in a statement. “Addressing the root causes of retail theft requires using every tool in our toolbox, and a key part of that is proactive upstream investigation of those who seek to profit from it. In addition to disrupting the fencing network, we will continue to target the small number of repeat offenders responsible for the high volume of retail theft and ensure appropriate accountability.”
Debate over retail crime intensifies
The charges come at a time when theft and retail crime are top of mind for many in the industry, but questions remain about their causes and overall impact.
In December 2023, the NRF updated its report blaming “nearly half” of the 2021 outbreaks. $94.5 billion The retail industry is reduced to organized retail crime (ORC). In the comments received, retail touchpointsan NRF spokesperson said, “The retail industry and law enforcement have challenges collecting and analyzing an accurate, agreed-upon set of data to measure the number of incidents in communities across the country.'' I am aware of that,” he said.
In August 2023, executives from the following retailers Dick's Sporting Goods, Lowe's and the goal It blamed retail crime for poor business performance and endangering the safety of employees and customers.