Law enforcement authorities in Miami-Dade have unveiled an operation aimed at dismantling a prominent retail theft ring. A total of 14 suspects are facing charges in connection with a retail theft ring that has caused more than $20 million in losses this year.
The hunt continues for three other suspects.
Operation on the fence: A nine-month investigation
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said at a news conference Monday that the 14 suspects who targeted at least 20 different retailers are facing charges following “Operation On the Fence.”
Reports are that the 9-month Rico investigation started in January and targeted “boosters,” who steal retail items primarily to re-sell them.
Roughly 50 people across Florida were involved, authorities said.
Reports are that over 87 serial boosters were unearthed, guiding the authorities to the central figures who have amassed millions from this illicit trade.
A myriad of retail victims
According to reports, dozens of serial retail thieves brought stolen items to a first-level illicit distributor, Arland Cata.
It is reported that Cata purchased the stolen merchandise from the thieves, valued at least $1 million, and paid the criminals 5 per cent to 10 per cent of the items’ retail value.
Cata then sold those items to a higher-level distributor, Joshua Markell.
It is further reported that Markell owned an Amazon storefront, Hollywoodseller, to sell the stolen items to unsuspecting consumers across the country.
This past year, the Hollywoodseller Amazon storefront made more than $5 million in sales.
Markell paid Cata approximately $1.2 million for stolen merchandise from January to September.
Markell and Cata employed several individuals who assisted with the inventory and transport of the stolen items to Amazon.
Confiscation of stolen goods
The investigation resulted in law enforcement seizing more than $1.2 million in stolen merchandise that Markell intended to sell on Amazon—more than 4,800 stolen items.
Markell shipped more than 100,000 items to Amazon for the Hollywoodseller this year.
This joint investigation involved the partnership of several law enforcement agencies, including the Miami-Dade Police Department, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, the Coral Springs Police Department, and the Pembroke Pines Police Department.
A myriad of retail victims
The operation unveiled a broad spectrum of victimized retailers, ranging from pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS, to supermarkets such as Walmart and Publix, and extending to specialized stores like Home Depot, Best Buy, and Macy’s.
According to reports, the stolen items ranged from over-the-counter medications and cosmetics to tools, electronics, and household items.
A stern stance against retail theft
Attorney General Moody’s OSP is charging 14 individuals, including Markell, for involvement in this criminal enterprise.
The charges include racketeering, organized retail theft, grand theft, dealing in stolen property, and other conspiracy charges based on roles within the criminal enterprise.
Emphasizing a stern, zero-tolerance stance against retail theft, Miami-Dade authorities have reiterated their commitment to upholding law and order.
Reports are that Attorney General Moody’s Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Chris Olowin will handle the case.
There is currently a separate ongoing investigation into the homicide of Cata.
