NY man attacked LP while trying to rob store
A man from Farmingville, New York, was arrested on Sunday after police say he attacked a store employee while trying to steal merchandise. According to police, Daniel Charbonnier, 30, tried to steal goods from Bloomingdale’s, in East Garden City, on Sunday afternoon. When associates from the store’s Loss Prevention stopped him, police say Charbonnier became physical and injured both associates. However, he was still detained. Both of the Loss Prevention associates were treated at the scene. Charbonnier was transported to a hospital for evaluation. During a search of his person, police say they found cocaine. Police say that Charbonnier also robbed the same Bloomingdale’s on Dec. 1. Charbonnier is charged with two counts of second-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree assault, petty larceny and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Police say he will be arraigned when medically practical. [Source: Garden City Patch]
Colorado man wanted for allegedly shoplifting; hitting police cruiser
Police say he hit an officer’s cruiser and second vehicle while trying to flee a Walmart after shoplifting. The officer had just pulled into the parking lot as the suspect was jumping into a white car. The suspect peeled out and reportedly struck the cruiser first, then the other car. Both cars were parked and no injuries were reported. The man kept driving and was last seen heading eastbound on Pueblo Boulevard and then northbound on Acero Avenue, in Colorado Springs. The incident happened at the Walmart Neighborhood Market on 2732 S. Prairie Ave. The suspect vehicle is described as a white 90s model Toyota Camry. Anyone with information is asked to call Cpl. Kenneth Matic at 719-553-3292. [Source: KKTV11 News]
New Netflix email scam asks users for credit card information
Stay away from unexpected Netflix emails: They may be tricking you into handing over your credit card information. Netflix is warning customers about what may be the most sophisticated phishing scam yet. First discovered by Australian email security company MailGuard, the zero-day scam uses Netflix branding and webpage style to coax users into giving away credit card details. The email shows “Netflix” as the sender and the subject area alerts recipients that their card information was declined. “Hi, We have attempted to authorize the Amex card you have on file but were unable to do so,” the email reads. “We will automatically attempt to recharge your card again in 24-48 hours. Update the expiry date and CVV (card verification value) of your Amex card as soon as possible so you can continue using it with your account. We’re here to help if you need it. Visit the Help Centre for more info or contact us. – Your Friends at Netflix.”
An image of the phony email was posted to Twitter by the New South Wales Police Force in Australia. The deceptively pleasant message includes an “update payment” button that directs users to a credit card information portal with blanks for email address, card number, expiration date, and CVV number. Once a user submits their information, the scam redirects them to Netflix’s homepage to ease any potential concerns. The longer users are unaware of the theft, the longer scammers can continue taking advantage of any ill-gotten personal information, so keeping people in the dark is just as important as gaining access to their info in the first place. Reports say “thousands” of users have been affected so far. The scam has reached people in Australia and the U.K., but it’s not clear if any U.S. customers have received any of these emails. [Source: The Daily Dot]
Thieves steal roughly 50 handbags worth over $100K from retailer
An estimated seven to 10 suspects on Monday swiped about 50 high-end handbags believed to be worth over $100,000 from Nordstrom located at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, according to police. The thieves managed to slip into the store just before closing and cut the metal security cables that keep the Gucci handbags secured to display counters, according to police. The suspects then dashed out of the store and hopped into two getaway cars. Specific suspect or vehicle descriptions were not immediately available other than that one of the getaway vehicles was described as a Nissan Sentra and the other was either a Honda or Accord without a license plate, according to police. No arrests have been made in the case, according to police. One of the suspects did try to punch a loss prevention associate during the heist, according to an investigation is ongoing. Surveillance footage has yet to be released due to the investigation. Further information was not available. [Source: Peninsula]
Five charged in retail theft ring
A month-long investigation of an organized retail theft ring by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office, just before 9 p. deputies responded to the Tommy Hilfiger store at Silver Sands Premium Outlets on U.S. Highway 98 regarding people seen shoplifting. Deputies located four of the five suspects. Hernando James, 19, was seen carrying a Tommy Hilfiger bag with several items inside. Surveillance video showed James entering the store without a shopping bag and purchasing two items. However, more than two pieces of clothing were found in the bag, the press release said. James was arrested for grand theft along with Stevonda O’Neal, who was an out-of-state fugitive. Also during the investigation, Rameshia Hatcher provided a false name to deputies. Her mother, Ophelia Hatcher, knew Rameshia was giving a false name while they spoke to deputies, according to the press release. A car was located in the parking lot beside a large pile of clothes. Inside of the vehicle were several garbage bags and store alarm tags. The vehicle was seized and a search was conducted at a later date.Investigators found more than $6,000 worth of stolen merchandise in the car from several stores, including Victoria’s Secret, Bath and Body Works, Justice, Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger, the Sheriff’s Office said. Investigators later learned the names of all those involved, including the identity of Rameshia Hatcher. Hernando James, 19 was arrested and charged with coordinating in theft of more than $3,000. Stevonda O’Neal was arrested that day on an out-of-state fugitive charge and then released. O’Neal, Shakina Letressa Hall, 32, Rebecca Hatcher, 25, and Ophelia Hatcher, 45, have all been charged with coordinating in theft of more than $3,000. Rameshia and Ophelia Hatcher also have been charged with providing false information to a law enforcement officer. All four have active warrants for their arrests [Source: NWF Daily News]
Mattress Firm to close 200 stores
Mattress Firm has entered into a credit agreement up to $225 million, to be available for “working capital needs and other general corporate purposes.” The ABL Facility has an initial aggregate principal availability amount of $75 million, but the company intends to upsize that via an incremental availability feature to a total aggregate principal amount of up to $225 million, according to a company press release. Last week, Mattress Firm executives told lenders that the company, as of last year a unit of financially struggling South African conglomerate Steinhoff, would close 200 stores as part of an ongoing restructuring effort, the Houston Business Journal reports. Before being acquired by Steinhoff last year, Mattress Firm in 2014 had itself bought rival The Sleep Train, which operated 310 stores, for $425 million, a move that increased its costs over sales.[Source: RetailDIVE]