The Macy’s emblem is seen at its retailer in Herald Sq. in New York Metropolis on Jan. 19, 2024.
Michael M. Santiago | Getty Photographs
A New York magnificence retailer simply blocks away from the Empire State Constructing resold greater than $1 million value of products that’ had been stolen from Macy’s and a slew of different retailers, authorities stated Wednesday.
Two New Yorkers had been charged with possessing greater than $1 million in stolen items and reselling them via their enterprise, Rehana’s Cosmetics, a fragrance and cosmetics retailer in Midtown Manhattan, the borough’s district legal professional Alvin Bragg stated at a press convention.
About $212,000 of the merchandise was stolen from Macy’s, whereas the remaining got here from CVS, Ceremony Assist, Walgreens and Walgreens-owned Duane Reade, Ulta, Victoria’s Secret, Tub & Physique Works and the NHL Store, Bragg stated.
“By way of our investigation, we discovered that Rehana’s Cosmetics was well-known to shoplifters, who would willingly convey them stolen gadgets,” Bragg stated. “We allege that created a motive for shoplifters to steal, and thus that the defendants, we allege, had been drivers of crime.”
Manhattan District Legal professional Alvin Bragg introduced an indictment regarding greater than $1 million in stolen items as a part of a retail theft fencing operation.
Courtesy: Manhattan District Legal professional’s Workplace
Rehana’s Cosmetics, Bragg alleged, claimed to be a “magnificence and fragrance retailer,” however was as an alternative discovered to have tons of of containers crammed with merchandise not sometimes discovered at such shops, together with designer purses, over-the-counter drugs, kitchenware and extra. He stated the defendants obtained the stolen gadgets from shoplifters for the aim of reselling.
“The basis trigger we allege right here is greed,” Bragg stated. “They had been doing this to generate income. That is the motive that’s outdated as time.”
The costs come as retailers akin to Goal and Ulta more and more cite theft as a rising drawback at their shops. In March, a monthslong CNBC investigation confirmed how police broke up an organized retail crime ring that stole thousands and thousands in cosmetics from Ulta shops and resold them on Amazon.
Whereas Bragg was unable to present a particular quantity when requested what number of shops are believed to be participating in comparable operations, he famous that there have been “far too many assaults” on workers at shops which have skilled theft.
“Through the use of a multi-pronged prosecution technique, we are able to make an enduring dent in retail theft that may maintain our retailer workers secure, reduce off the incentives to steal and resell stolen items and permit our retail sector to thrive,” he stated.
In a press release to CNBC, a Macy’s spokesperson stated, “We admire the work of legislation enforcement and the Manhattan District Legal professional’s Workplace and defer any feedback concerning the case to them.”
A spokesperson for CVS stated the pharmacy is “grateful” for the work of the Manhattan District Legal professional’s workplace.
Manhattan District Legal professional Alvin Bragg introduced an indictment regarding greater than $1 million in stolen items as a part of a retail theft fencing operation.
Courtesy: Manhattan District Legal professional’s Workplace
“Our partnerships with legislation enforcement are integral to our efforts to forestall organized retail crime (ORC) rings from stealing after which promoting stolen items on-line. We look ahead to persevering with our robust partnership with the DA’s Workplace as we work to fight ORC throughout New York Metropolis,” the spokesperson stated.
A Walgreens spokesperson advised CNBC earlier this yr that the chain is taking steps to “safely deter theft” and “ship one of the best affected person and buyer expertise.”
The opposite retailers alleged to have stolen items included within the bust didn’t instantly reply to CNBC’s request for remark.