MIAMI, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier held a press conference Wednesday afternoon in downtown Miami, joined by Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz and Florida Retail Federation President and CEO Scott Shalley, to unveil a statewide initiative aimed at combating retail crime and strengthening coordination between state and local law enforcement agencies.

The event took place at 1 SE 3rd Avenue on the ninth floor, where Uthmeier emphasized that crime reduction and anti-fraud efforts remain among his top priorities. The Florida Retail Federation and top law enforcement officials have repeatedly highlighted the growing challenges of organized retail theft across the state.

Local law enforcement agencies were also present, like: The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, and Palm Beach Gardens Police Department.

Officials said the initiative will expand collaborative efforts between state prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and Florida’s retail sector—particularly in regions seeing sharp increases in coordinated theft schemes.

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New Developments: AG Announces Seven Arrests in Multi-County Organized Retail Theft Ring

Following the announcement of the new initiative, Attorney General James Uthmeier revealed the arrest of seven individuals connected to a multicounty organized retail theft ring targeting beauty and fragrance products.

“This was a coordinated criminal enterprise that robbed retailers across Florida and turned stolen goods into illicit proceeds,” Uthmeier said. “We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to protect Florida businesses, keep prices low for consumers, and quickly dismantle organized retail theft rings from the ground up.”

Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz emphasized the regional impact of retail theft operations, calling the arrests evidence of strong interagency cooperation.

“Organized retail theft is not just about stolen merchandise; it is about coordinated criminal activity that impacts families, small businesses, and our entire community,” said Miami-Dade Sheriff Cordero-Stutz.

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Captain David Moss also underscored the significance of the case, stating that those who profit from coordinated retail theft “will be held accountable.”

“This arrest sends a clear message that organized retail theft, no matter how coordinated or far-reaching, will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted,” said Capt. Moss. “Those who profit from stealing in our communities will be held accountable.”

Florida Retail Federation President Scott Shalley said the arrests highlight the state’s growing efforts to protect retailers of all sizes.

Statewide Prosecutor Brad McVay praised the Retail Theft Investigative Task Force for delivering “quick results that protect both Florida businesses and consumers.”

Details of the Investigation

The joint investigation was led by the Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, with additional assistance from police departments and sheriffs’ offices across Palm Bay, Palm Beach Gardens, Sarasota County, and St. Lucie County.

Investigators say that between November 2024 and summer 2025, the group caused tens of thousands of dollars in losses across South, Central, and West Florida. Retailers hit included CVS, Walgreens, Publix, Burlington, and Ulta Beauty.

The “boosters”—street-level shoplifters—stole health and beauty products and sold them to Naychel Jerez, a Hialeah-based fence who resold merchandise through OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace.

A search warrant at Jerez’s home uncovered:

$123,966 in stolen merchandiseAnti-theft removal toolsA cash counting machineMore than $51,000 in cashCharges

All defendants are currently being held at the Martin County Jail.

Naychel Alvarez Jerez, 36

Conspiracy to commit racketeeringDirecting dealing in stolen propertyConspiracy to commit dealing in stolen propertyUnlawful use of a two-way communications device

John Kevin Romero, 22

Conspiracy to commit racketeeringOrganized retail theft (two counts)Dealing in stolen propertyConspiracy to commit dealing in stolen propertyUnlawful use of a two-way communications device

Josue Rego Romero, 29

Conspiracy to commit racketeeringOrganized retail theft (two counts)Dealing in stolen propertyConspiracy to commit dealing in stolen propertyUnlawful use of a two-way communications device

Albert Mario Socorro Alvarez, 28

Conspiracy to commit racketeeringOrganized retail theft (two counts)Dealing in stolen propertyConspiracy to commit dealing in stolen propertyUnlawful use of a two-way communications device

Jose Carlos Perez Salgado, 30

Conspiracy to commit racketeeringOrganized retail theftDealing in stolen propertyConspiracy to commit dealing in stolen property

Antonio Perez Torres, 26

Conspiracy to commit racketeeringOrganized retail theftDealing in stolen propertyConspiracy to commit dealing in stolen property

Lissette Rodriguez, 34

Conspiracy to commit dealing in stolen propertyUnlawful use of a two-way communications devicePenalties and Prosecution

In 2024, HB 549 increased penalties for organized retail theft, allowing certain repeat offenders to face up to 30 years in prison. Some defendants in this case face maximum sentences of up to 80 years.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Chris Olowin and Monique Wilson in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit.