Multiple charges have been approved for numerous offenders following a retail sting operation orchestrated by Vernon Hills Police.
Vernon Hills Police coordinated the multi-agency operation focused on addressing organized retail crime groups that have been targeting retailers on May 24 and May 25, officials said in a news release.
Among other charges and investigative leads developed from the initiative, the operation led to the arrest of eleven individuals and the charging of seventeen new felony offenses.
In addition to local charges being filed against the individuals, those arrested also had active arrest warrants throughout Illinois, California, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.
Other results of the effort include the seizure of two vehicles from transnational organized crime groups, the recovery of approximately $27,000 in stolen merchandise, the seizure of over $6,000 in cash believed to be theft proceeds, and the confiscation of fentanyl and ecstasy.
Notable arrests include Rosa Ramos-Jimenez, 21, Roberto Loyde Jimenez, 26, and Thelma Estrada Altamirano, 37, each for felony charges of burglary and theft.
They are also believed to be part of a crew responsible for over $100,000 in losses to Macy’s stores across the United States, authorities said.
Luminata Zatreanu, 26, was arrested and faces felony charges of retail theft and theft. She, along with a juvenile suspect, are believed to be members of a crew responsible for over $300,000 in recent losses to Ulta locations spanning from Minnesota to South Carolina.
The operation also resulted in the arrests of Christopher Warren, 25, Isaiah Rucker, 27, and Gregory Carter, 23, who each face felony charges of identity theft and are believed to be part of a Texas-based organized crime group.
“These arrests occurred in only one jurisdiction, but they involved offenders known to commit crimes nationwide,” said Vernon Hills Police Chief Patrick L. Kreis. “The results highlight the extent of the retail crime problem our communities face everyday. We are thankful for our partnerships both in law enforcement and the private sector that serve as the backbone for these types of operations.”
In addition to numerous forged driver’s licenses and ID cards, the sting resulted in the recovery of multiple Venezuelan migrants who were allegedly recruited for work under false pretenses in Chicago and transported to Vernon Hills in the cargo area of a rented box truck.
The migrants said they were locked in the truck for over two hours and several exhibited symptoms of heat exhaustion and fears of death, authorities said.
Necessary assistance was provided to the migrants, authorities said, and they were released without charges.
“I commend our Retail Crimes Task Force and all of the participating law enforcement agencies and retailers for their partnership in these operations,” said Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, who supported the retail theft initiative via organized retail crime grant funding. “Organized retail crime is not limited to one region of Illinois and often can be traced to national and international criminal activity. The charges stemming from these operations highlight the importance of collaboration between state and local law enforcement to hold individuals accountable and protect communities across Illinois.”
Joining Vernon Hills officers were investigators from the Illinois State Police as well as the Gurnee, Mundelein, and North Chicago Police Departments, authorities said.
Corporate investigators supplied by retail partners also provided substantial assistance, authorities said.
“Our Felony Review division approved the highest felonies that were requested by our law enforcement partners – who did an amazing job of holding these offenders accountable,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said. “We also sought pre-trial detention of these individuals because they pose such a significant flight risk. Police, legislators, and the Attorney General have developed an appropriate response to these organized retail theft rings, and, in Lake County, such calculated criminal activity leads to detention – without the ability to post stolen cash.”