A 20-year-old Florida woman, Lourdes Rodriguez, was recently apprehended for her alleged involvement in a high-profit retail theft ring. The operation reportedly targeted a range of businesses, including Ulta, CVS, Walgreens, and various liquor stores across the state, according to the Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
Rodriguez is facing two counts each of organized retail theft and grand theft. She was arrested earlier this week, marking the third arrest in the theft ring that has reportedly caused losses exceeding $100,000 to more than 50 different businesses in Florida.
Rodriguez is alleged to have personally committed over a dozen thefts across several counties, including Brevard, Martin, Palm Beach, Sarasota, and Seminole. The total value of the goods she is accused of stealing is estimated to be around $15,000.
Martin County Sheriff William Snyder explained that Rodriguez would typically conceal the stolen items on her person or in her bag before fleeing the store. The investigation into Rodriguez’s activities began in Martin County, but it eventually led law enforcement to a larger network of retail theft.
Following her arrest, authorities realized the extent of her alleged crimes. “She was hitting store after store,” Sheriff Snyder said. “Now Ms. Rodriguez is facing enhanced penalties for serial shoplifting.”
According to the press release, Rodriguez would enter the stores, hide merchandise in a bag she brought with her or one stolen from the business, and then leave with the stolen items. The items she allegedly targeted most often were skin care products, oral hygiene items, and beauty supplies.
Rodriguez is also accused of stealing from multiple Walgreens locations, sometimes returning to the same store after a two-day gap. In addition to the theft charges, Rodriguez has a series of failure to appear charges, according to Palm Beach County Jail records.
Rodriguez was initially arrested in October. The public court docket in Martin County shows a person identified as “Lourdes Rodriguez,” charged with several misdemeanor cases of petit theft. However, the charges announced this week include felony allegations. If convicted as charged, the felony convictions in the case could carry sentences of up to five years in prison.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody stated, “Working with our law enforcement partners and our Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange Task Force, we dismantled a massive organized retail theft ring with a third arrest this week. Criminal organizations be warned – in Florida, we have the tools and talent to investigate and take down your criminal enterprise, and you will pay for your crimes.”