A California mother of three, Michelle Mack, has been accused of leading an organized crime ring that stole nearly $8 million worth of makeup from stores such as Ulta, T.J. Maxx, and Walgreens. Mack ran this enterprise from her San Diego mansion, paying women to steal the products and then reselling them online at a lower price. This operation, known as the “California Girls,” spanned across multiple states and involved hundreds of thefts.
Authorities raided Mack’s mansion in December, recovering thousands of stolen items worth over $387,000. They found a “mini store” in her garage filled with beauty products, sunglasses, and designer bags ready to be sold. California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed 140 felony charges against Mack, her husband, and seven others involved in the crime ring, including conspiracy to commit organized retail theft and receiving stolen property. All defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The alleged scheme orchestrated by Michelle Mack highlights the ongoing issue of organized theft in the retail industry, causing billions of dollars in losses annually. Mack’s group targeted a variety of retailers and sold the stolen goods on Amazon, prompting the e-commerce giant to emphasize their “zero tolerance” policy for such activities. The arrests of the suspects send a strong message about the severe consequences of selling stolen goods.
