Over $400k in stolen merchandise uncovered during Sephora theft investigation, League City PD says
LCPD said they successfully dismantled a major organized retail theft operation.
LEAGUE CITY, Texas (KTRK) -- A Houston woman is behind bars after a theft at a Sephora store inside a Kohl's in League City led to the discovery of an organized operation that extended well beyond the store's four walls.
According to the League City Police Department, 52-year-old Claudia Ivonne Higuera-Torres was arrested as investigators dismantled what they called a major organized retail crime operation. Detectives said what appeared to be a typical retail theft operation expanded into a complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation spanning several cities and counties throughout Southeast Texas.
LCPD added that over $400,000 worth of stolen merchandise, or over 15,000 individual items, were recovered as a result of the investigation.
Higuera-Torres was arrested on Tuesday and charged with first-degree felony organized retail theft, and had her bond set at $150,000, investigators said, adding that her release was denied by a judge due to an ICE detainer.
LCPD said Flock Safety cameras played a role in identifying the vehicles allegedly used during the operation and which stores were potentially targeted.
LCPD said it worked with the Pearland Police Department, the Houston Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety in their investigation.
Authorities added that the following stores also cooperated with the investigation:
- Academy Sports + Outdoors
- Alo
- Bath & Body Works
- CVS Pharmacy
- The Home Depot
- Kohl's
- lululemon
- Randalls
- Sephora
- Target
- TJ Maxx
- U-Haul
- Ulta Beauty
- Victoria's Secret
- Walgreens
- Walmart
The Texas Organized Retail Crime Association and the Gulf Coast Criminal Investigators Association also helped investigate the retail theft operation, according to LCPD.
