PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Authorities arrested four men Monday who are believed to be connected to a South American organized retail theft ring responsible for stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise across five states. The suspects allegedly shoplifted nearly $10,000 in items from Providence Place mall and a Cranston, R.I. shopping center, police said.
Ozzie Arenas, 18; Keiner Perez Salas, 20; Beickel Amestoy Ariellano, 21; and Howard Garcia, 22, were arrested following an investigation that led to charges of larceny, receiving stolen goods, conspiracy, and shoplifting. All suspects are Venezuelan nationals with prior criminal records in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Providence and Cranston police were alerted by another law enforcement agency that a group of individuals connected to a South American retail theft network were suspected of traveling to Rhode Island and Massachusetts to continue their criminal activities. At around 3 p.m., detectives tracked their vehicle, a Ford Flex, via a license plate reader near downtown Providence. Authorities then located the vehicle near Providence Place mall, where they conducted a motor vehicle stop.
During the stop, officers discovered several bags containing Victoria’s Secret pajamas valued at approximately $2,699. A store manager at Victoria’s Secret inside the mall reported that three men entered the store, took the pajamas from the back wall, and fled without paying.
Additionally, an employee at Lens Crafters inside the mall reported that two of the men took Versace sunglasses and Prada glasses before exiting the store without paying.
Further investigations revealed that the group had been involved in three thefts between February 17 and March 23 at Garden City Center in Cranston, causing approximately $7,000 in losses at two major department stores.
Authorities believe this group is part of a broader network responsible for multiple thefts across New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Illinois, with cumulative losses surpassing $30,000.
Perez Salas, Garcia, and Amestoy Ariellano face felony larceny and conspiracy charges in Cranston, while Arenas also faces charges in Providence. A warrant has been issued for a fourth suspect who was not arrested at the time.
In addition to local charges, Amestoy Ariellano is wanted in New York for grand larceny and is under investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for failure to comply with a removal order from the United States.
The suspects appeared in court on Tuesday, where bonds were set at $10,000 surety.
Cranston Police Chief Michael Winquist commented on the growing threat of organized retail crime, stating, “This case highlights the critical importance of collaboration between local, state, and federal partners. It also underscores the role of technology, like license plate reader systems, in tracking criminal activity. We will continue to aggressively pursue these criminal networks to ensure those responsible are held accountable.”
