On Monday, April 7 at about 2 p.m., the Cranston Police Department received information from a partnering law enforcement agency regarding a group of people believed to be associated with a South American Organized Retail Theft Group. In collaboration with regional and federal partners, this department actively shares intelligence related to organized criminal enterprises.

The notification indicated that a Ford Flex used during a March 23 retail theft incident had been detected in Connecticut and was believed to be traveling north with its occupants intending to commit additional shoplifting offenses in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In response, a statewide bulletin containing a description of the suspect vehicle and its associated registration was issued.

At about 3 p.m., detectives were alerted that the suspect vehicle had triggered a Flock license plate reader near downtown Providence. This information was shared with the Providence Police Department, which located the suspect vehicle near Providence Place mall. Four suspects associated with the vehicle, which contained stolen merchandise, were taken into custody on charges of larceny and conspiracy. Providence police are continuing their investigation.

In Cranston, three retail theft incidents were reported between Feb. 17 and March 23 at two major department stores in the Garden City Center, resulting in a total loss of about $7,000. The same group is believed to be responsible for a broader pattern of thefts across several states, including New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, North Carolina and Illinois, with cumulative losses estimated to exceed $30,000.

These groups are known to travel across state lines to commit thefts in rapid succession before relocating and, at times, returning to previously targeted stores. In some instances, items are sold to local shops or through online marketplaces and social media platforms.

The use of technologies such as the Flock License Plate Reader system have proven invaluable in identifying suspect vehicles and aiding investigations into these complex criminal networks.

Some of the individuals arrested by the Providence police are now facing felony larceny and conspiracy charges from the Cranston Police Department in connection with the thefts committed in Cranston. These individuals are identified as Keiner Perez Salas, 20, Beickel Amestoy Arrelano, 21, and Howard Garcia Marquez, 22. The Cranston Police Department will obtain an arrest warrant for a fourth suspect who was not arrested in Providence. All suspects are Venezuelan nationals with theft-related criminal histories in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Amestoy Arrelano is also wanted in New York for Grand Larceny and by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for failure to appear for removal from the United States.

According to crime statistics, shoplifting losses vary by store type but can account for about one-third of total inventory shrinkage. It is estimated that shoplifting occurs 330 – 440 million times per year at a loss of $10-$13 billion. Nationwide, that equates to 1.0-1.2 million shoplifting incidents every day at a loss rate of $19,000-$25,300 per minute.

“Organized retail crime is a growing threat that impacts local businesses and communities across state lines,” said Col. Michael Winquist, Cranston’s police chief. “This case demonstrates the critical importance of collaboration between local, state and federal partners, as well as the use of emerging technologies like license plate reader systems. We will continue aggressively pursuing these criminal networks and ensure those responsible are held accountable.”