ALBANY (NEWS10) - Two women have been charged with stealing over $78,000 worth of merchandise from three local stores over a three-month period, according to Albany County officials. The alleged thefts occurred at Ulta Beauty locations in Colonie, LensCrafters in Colonie Center, and Kohl’s on Central Avenue. Authorities believe these incidents are part of a larger, organized retail theft operation affecting the region.
Albany County District Attorney David Soares addressed the media during a press conference, noting the severity of the thefts and the organized nature of the operation. "I know many of you have heard about the concept of organized retail theft. But today, we are happy to announce that we have arrested and indicted a very small number of people involved in a very large ring of organized retail theft," Soares said.
The two women, who appeared in court today, face multiple Class D felony charges. If convicted, they could face between two and seven years in prison. Police are still searching for a third suspect believed to be involved in the thefts.
Soares emphasized that this is not an isolated issue, but one affecting the broader Capital District. “It's not just an Albany County issue. It’s an issue amongst all of the very robust, retail-rich corridors that we have here in the Capital District,” he said.
Employees at the targeted stores, who spoke off-camera, said they had seen the trio enter the stores and walk out with merchandise. According to them, store policies discourage employees from intervening during thefts.
Authorities are urging other stores that believe they may have been targeted to come forward. Soares also highlighted a larger pattern of retail theft in the region, citing a recent case where a local supermarket reported losing over $300,000 worth of merchandise in a single month.
The investigation into the theft ring is ongoing, and officials are working with loss prevention specialists in an effort to curb further incidents.
