BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. — Two suspects have been arrested in connection with an organized retail theft ring accused of stealing more than $47,000 in merchandise from multiple Ulta Beauty stores, authorities said.
Renee Romero, 31, was taken into custody on February 2 and charged with organized retail crime (agent). Michael Lovato, 42, was arrested on February 4 and faces charges of shoplifting over $20,000. Both are currently held at the Metropolitan Detention Center, according to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO).
The investigation began after an Ulta Beauty store manager reported suspicious activity, prompting a probe into the group’s coordinated thefts. Court documents describe the four suspects as operating as part of an organized retail crime ring.
Two other suspects, Tiffany Ramsay, 28, and Samuel Begel, 57, remain at large. Both face charges of organized retail crime (theft), and warrants for their arrests have been issued. Authorities continue to investigate and urge anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact the BCSO.
