US gang led by woman stole $8 million worth of cosmetics and sold them on Amazon

Police found $387,000 worth of items at Mack’s Spanish-style estate.

Authorities in California arrested Michelle Mack, a 53-year-old mother of three, on suspicion of orchestrating a large-scale organized retail theft operation. The gang is accused of stealing nearly $8 million worth of cosmetics from U.S. department store chains including Ulta, TJ Maxx and Walgreens across the country, according to U.S. media reports.

Investigators believe Mack carried out the operation at her luxury home in San Diego. They accuse her of recruiting and paying as many as 12 women to steal cosmetics from stores in California and 10 other states, including Texas, Florida and Ohio. The stolen products were reportedly later sold at a discounted price on Mack’s Amazon storefront.

Investigators say the gang, known as the “California Girls,” traveled up and down the California coast and 10 other states, including Texas, Florida, Massachusetts and Ohio, carrying out hundreds of crimes on Mack’s orders. Theft.according to CNBC.

The suspects used money paid for flights, car rentals and other travel expenses by Mack to commit hundreds of thefts up and down the California coast, including in Washington state, Utah, Oregon, Colorado, Arizona, Illinois, Germany. Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and the United States. Ohio, investigators said.

Investigators said Mack selected the stores to target and which items to take, and the women were sent to clear entire shelves of merchandise before stuffing the stolen items into Louis Vuitton bags and stealing them.

According to a complaint filed Friday by the California Attorney General, more than $300,000 worth of cosmetics and other products were discovered at the Bonsall home shared by Michelle and Kenneth Mack when a search warrant was issued on December 6, 2023.

“I see the justice system working slowly, but it seems to be working,” a neighbor of the Macks, who asked not to be named, told reporters. NBC San Diego.

“It’s great that they arrested them,” Ulta Beauty employee Marybel Carmona said. “It’s unfortunate that these people get involved at such a young age and ruin their lives. It’s not worth it.”