PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (CBS12) — A Miami woman has been accused of stealing over $75,000 worth of products from Ulta Beauty and other stores on 56 separate occasions throughout 16 Florida counties, with a significant focus on Palm Beach Gardens.
Angela Rodriguez, 25, is at the center of this investigation, spearheaded by the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department (PBGPD), which stated it had support from Ulta Beauty’s Organized Retail Crime department.
Rodriguez, along with accomplices including a man named Howard Morraz, allegedly orchestrated a series of heists not only at Ulta Beauty but also targeting CVS, Publix, and Walgreens stores.
The probable cause affidavit noted that the theft spree began on December 26, 2023, and culminated on August 17, 2024, with 56 separate thefts and 43 pinned down in Palm Beach County alone.
PBGPD stated that in utilizing the Auror website—an Ulta Beauty crime intelligence and loss prevention platform—they managed to compile evidence against Rodriguez and her crew. Surveillance footage and photos shared with investigators depicted the group in action, unmasked and seemingly confident in their criminal endeavors.
The footage revealed the three suspects would pose as ordinary shoppers, sweeping valuable cosmetics, skincare, and fragrances.
The report states that in all of these instances, Rodriguez would put multiple items in her handbag—in one case, she put 73 items—and walk out of the store.
At one Ulta Beauty in Osceola County, an employee allegedly offered Rodriguez help to find items. Rodriguez threatened them, stating, “Stop looking at me, or I’m going to punch you in the face.”
Officials reported that Rodriguez would leave the store, and another suspect would be in a getaway vehicle, ready to flee.
See also:3 Florida men charged for roles in nationwide jewelry theft ring, DOJ says
According to PBGPD, the group utilized rental vehicles from Sixt Titling Trust, acquired through a third party, with Rodriguez footing the bill via Cash App.
During the investigation, a search warrant was executed on June 5, which led detectives to connect Rodriguez’s cellphone with the locations and times of the thefts.
Additionally, Detectives reported locating Rodriguez’s Facebook page, where she advertised and sold the stolen beauty items on Facebook Marketplace. Her internet history also revealed plans to target wholesaler businesses for beauty products in Miami-Dade County.
Ulta Beauty reported a total loss of over $75,000 throughout the eight months.
The locations of businesses she stole from include:
- Marion County
- Lake County
- Pasco County
- Pinellas County
- St. Johns County
- Orange County
- Osceola County
- Manatee County
- Sarasota County
- Hillsborough County
- Palm Beach County
- Broward County
- Brevard County
- Seminole Cunty
- Collier County
- Lee County
According to the affidavit, Rodriguez’s accomplice Morraz was arrested at an Ulta store in St. Augustine on June 29 for Grand Theft, in which he was sentenced to 150 days in county jail being released in October. During his time in jail, he had made phone calls in which he asked his brother to sell the hair products he stole to be able to post his bond, authorities said.
It was noted in the affidavit that on September 13, Rodriguez was pulled over by a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper for having tinted windows, which uncovered a warrant for her arrest from Lake County for Grand Theft charges.
As a result of her warrant, her car was searched, and she was found to have a purse with merchandise with price tags and antitheft devices still attached, several Ulta tote bags, as well as skincare products, cosmetics, and fragrances.
Rodriguez was booked into jail on October 21, the day before her 25th birthday, and has been accused of six counts of organized retail theft.
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