TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Lawyer Common James Uthmeier introduced Friday the arrests of two Venezuelan nationals accused of finishing up an organized retail theft scheme that focused Ulta Magnificence shops throughout the state.
Willy Jesus Diaz Pelayo and Maikol Eduardo Garcia Sanchez have been arrested in Palm Seashore County following an investigation involving the Palm Seashore Gardens Police Division, the Lawyer Common’s Workplace of Statewide Prosecution and the state’s Retail Theft Investigative Particular Job Power.
Authorities allege the boys have been half of a bigger, nationwide retail theft operation that targeted on stealing high-value cosmetics, together with perfumes and colognes. Investigators mentioned the suspects posed as prospects, hid merchandise and left shops with out paying.
“Bringing collectively native legislation enforcement and our Statewide Prosecutors is why we launched the Retail Theft Particular Job Power,” Uthmeier mentioned. “Retail theft is just not a victimless crime; each shopper feels the consequences when retailers are pressured to lift their costs. We are going to push for the hardest penalties doable on these criminals to guard companies and customers.”
In accordance with the lawyer common’s workplace, the pair is linked to greater than 40 thefts at Ulta Magnificence places throughout Florida between January and late November 2025, starting from Jacksonville to Miami. The thefts resulted in an estimated $47,000 in losses in Florida and roughly $166,000 in losses nationwide.
Pelayo is charged with one rely of second-degree organized retail theft, whereas Garcia Sanchez faces two counts of the identical cost. Prosecutors mentioned Pelayo may withstand 15 years in jail if convicted, and Garcia Sanchez may withstand 30 years.
Each males are in the US illegally and are topic to immigration detainers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Officers mentioned the defendants shall be deported after serving any jail sentences.
The arrests are a part of a broader statewide effort concentrating on organized retail crime, which legislation enforcement officers say has turn into more and more coordinated and widespread lately.
