Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, working with Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, is charging five members of a crime ring with organized retail theft. The group comprised of Yordan Rayo-Correoso, Erick Igorra-Viera, Jose Jiklin Palmero Bazan, Tomas Baujin-Marrero and Yereslan Gonzalez-Padron committed more than 200 thefts in 14 judicial circuits in a 15-month period. The defendants targeted retailers including T.J. Maxx, Ulta Beauty, Burlington, Target and other similar stores, causing at least $400,000 in losses. 

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This organized crime ring traveled the state, stealing from hundreds of stores and causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses to retailers. Through our proactive statewide strategic efforts, coordinating with law enforcement and retailers, we have dismantled this massive crime ring and now the members will face justice.”

According to the investigation, the defendants targeted T.J. Maxx, Ulta Beauty, Burlington, Target, Bealls, Kohl’s and other similar stores in 25 counties around the state. The defendants entered the stores, removed anti-theft tags off clothing, purses, shoes and other items, then placed the merchandise in a suitcase or hamper. Then, the defendants walked out of the store without paying. The group ultimately aimed to sell the stolen goods after committing the thefts.