January 1, Caught: California Mom’s Secret Million-Dollar Illegal Empire!

A California mother is now facing allegations of orchestrating a nationwide shoplifting racket that stole millions of dollars in makeup and apparel from hundreds of stores over a span of more than ten years, according to the California Department of Justice.

The complaint filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta reveals that over $300,000 worth of makeup and other products were discovered in the Bonsall residence shared by Michelle Mack, 53, and Kenneth Mack when a search warrant was executed on December 6, 2023.

Mack is alleged to have covered the costs for air travel, accommodation, and vehicle rental for up to a dozen women who would then steal goods before shipping them to Mack’s residence. Mack would then reportedly sell the stolen goods at a discount on her Amazon Marketplace storefront.

The group, referred to as the “California Girls” by investigators, operated in more than a dozen states across the nation, with their targets including LensCrafters, Sephora, and at least 231 Ulta stores.

Upon investigation, the police discovered what they termed a “mini store,” filled with beauty products, sunglasses, and designer bags inside Mack’s garage. They also found hundreds of postmarked envelopes packed with stolen products ready to be mailed out to customers, according to the investigators.

Bonta has filed 140 felony charges against Mack, her husband Kenneth, and seven other alleged members of the crime ring. The charges include conspiracy to commit organized retail theft, grand theft, and receipt of stolen property.

All the defendants have entered pleas of not guilty.

“This is a multimillion-dollar criminal scheme. It was complex. It was orchestrated,” Bonta stated in a press release from February announcing the charges. “We are not talking about garden-variety shoplifting.”

Bonta noted that while the current losses are estimated at nearly $8 million, the investigation is still underway, and the total loss could potentially surpass that figure.

“If you try to make an easy buck off of other people’s hard work, we will arrest you and prosecute you,” Bonta declared as the charges were filed. “We are addressing an audacious instance of organized retail theft and making it clear that such criminal activity will not be accepted in California.”

Court documents also revealed incriminating texts between Mack, her husband, and some of the other women charged, authorities claim.

“I’m not stealing regular I’m going to start filling up my bag quick. So I want to know stuff I can grab in bulks too,” defendant Kimora Lee Gooding texted Mack on January 7, 2023.

A few days later, Mack texted her husband, “Even without Lancome we still did well,” and he texted her “Lots of orders let’s get shipping.”

Prosecutors stated that Mack’s group routinely stole from a variety of retailers like Sephora, Ulta, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Prada, Bath & Body Works, Victoria’s Secret, Luxottica’s Sunglass Hut, and LensCrafters.

An Ulta Beauty spokesperson stated that they are proud to partner with the California Department of Justice and Attorney General’s Office on this investigation, and are grateful for their commitment to this important issue.

“The rise in organized retail crime affects all retailers, consumers and communities, and we believe it’s important to take action to deter the criminals perpetuating this problem. Not only does organized retail crime jeopardize the safety of our store associates and guests, but it also results in potentially unsafe or damaged products being resold online to consumers under false pretenses,” the spokesperson said. “We will continue to work closely with authorities to decrease the occurrence of retail theft that not only affects our stores but retailers nationwide.”

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