LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Three individuals have been charged with felony offenses related to an identity theft scheme that funded an organized retail crime ring. The suspects—Anthony Limas, Johnny Nicklas, and Steve Randy Nicklas—are facing 34 counts of organized retail theft, grand theft, and identity theft involving 13 victims, as announced by California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
The suspects are accused of using stolen identities to apply for store credit cards. Once approved, they used the credit lines to purchase merchandise, with no intention of repaying the charges. The thefts took place across multiple counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside, among others.
“This was not a simple shoplifting case; this was a malicious, coordinated crime operation,” Attorney General Bonta stated. “These types of crimes harm businesses and pose serious threats to our communities.”
The suspects allegedly acquired over $100,000 in merchandise from high-end stores and Harbor Freight retailers between March and July 2023. The investigation was prompted by a referral from a corporate fraud investigator at Signet Jewelers, which led to a broader inquiry into the crime ring.
Authorities continue to investigate the case, highlighting the growing issue of organized retail crime and identity theft in California.
