A shoplifting case at an Ulta Beauty in Waco, Texas, is connected to a federal investigation of a multi-state theft ring targeting cosmetics stores, Waco Police Department Sgt. Patrick Swanton said.
At about 9 p.m. on April 2, two women carrying blue bags walked into an Ulta store at 2432 West Loop 340 in Waco. Swanton said they loaded the bags with $9,561 worth of products and left the store.
The case has a similar description to another in Temple where two women stole items from another Ulta store, that same night, about an hour earlier. Cell phone video take from the Temple store shows two women leave the store with blue bags loaded with merchandise. Temple police said they stole $11,000 worth of perfume and cologne. Temple police spokesman Chris Christoff said the case was sent to the Bell County District Attorney’s office for review.
In both cases, employees were not allowed to attempt to stop the thefts, or get additional phone video of them, per store policy.
Ulta released the following statement to Channel 6 today: “As one of many retailers targeted by an organized retail crime organization, Ulta Beauty was proud to actively play a role in the investigation that has successfully uncovered the widespread theft ring. We want to thank the multiple federal and state law enforcement partners that joined Ulta Beauty’s Organized Retail Crime team in identifying and disrupting this theft ring. Ulta beauty’s policy, like most retailers, aims to actively prevent theft through a variety of mechanisms while also protecting our employees and guests. We will continue to work closely with authorities to help decrease the incidence of retail theft that not only affects our stores but retailers nationwide.”
Ulta referred any additional questions about the investigation to the Department of Homeland security. Temple Police spokesman Christoff told Channel 6 the DHS had also reached out to Temple Police… KCENTV6 News