In collaboration with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office has dismantled a significant organized retail theft ring. Five individuals are now facing charges for their alleged roles in committing over 200 thefts across 25 counties, resulting in at least $400,000 in losses to major retailers.
The suspects, identified as Yordan Rayo-Correoso, Erick Igorra-Viera, Jose Jiklin Palmero Bazan, Tomas Baujin-Marrero, and Yereslan Gonzalez-Padron, are accused of targeting stores such as T.J. Maxx, Ulta Beauty, Burlington, Target, and others over a 15-month period.
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Attorney General Ashley Moody emphasized the impact of the coordinated efforts that led to the arrests.
“This organized crime ring traveled the state, stealing from hundreds of stores and causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses to retailers. Through our proactive statewide strategic efforts, coordinating with law enforcement and retailers, we have dismantled this massive crime ring, and now the members will face justice,” Moody said.
The group’s strategy involved entering retail stores, removing anti-theft tags from merchandise such as clothing, purses, shoes, and other items, then concealing the stolen goods in suitcases or hampers before walking out without paying. The stolen items were allegedly intended for resale.
The thefts occurred in 14 of Florida’s 20 judicial circuits, encompassing counties within the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth Judicial Circuits.
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The suspects face a litany of charges, including multiple counts of organized retail theft, grand theft, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Details of the charges include:
- Yordan Rayo-Correoso: 15 counts of organized retail theft and other charges.
- Erick Igorra-Viera: Eight counts of organized retail theft and related offenses.
- Jose Jiklin Palmero Bazan: Two counts of organized retail theft.
- Tomas Baujin-Marrero: Two counts of organized retail theft.
- Yereslan Gonzalez-Padron: Four counts of organized retail theft and other charges.
Bazan and Gonzalez-Padron are currently under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers. Four suspects are in custody, while one remains at large.
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The Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange (FORCE), launched in partnership with the Florida Retailers Association, played a crucial role in tracking the suspects. The database enables retailers, law enforcement, and prosecutors to share and search information on theft incidents statewide.
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