Other LanguagesMaple Valley woman charged with stealing more than $200K in fragrances, cosmetics in six counties
SEATTLE — Today Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s Organized Retail Crime Unit filed its second-ever felony criminal case, charging a Maple Valley woman over a string of organized retail thefts in western Washington.
The Attorney General’s Office charged Shellonda K. Daniel in King County Superior Court with two counts of felony first-degree organized retail theft.
The criminal charges stem from thefts from 28 Ulta stores in King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom counties totaling more than $200,000. The thefts ranged from individual store losses of $1,042 to $19,459. While the alleged thefts occurred in multiple jurisdictions, the state Organized Retail Theft statute allows the Attorney General to aggregate them and file the charges in one county.
If convicted, Daniel faces a prison sentence of a maximum of 10 years and a $20,000 penalty for each count. The Attorney General’s Office will seek full restitution for Daniel’s thefts.
The affidavit of probable cause asserts Daniel made physical and verbal threats to employees and managers. In some cases, she would openly display a can of bear spray toward employees or customers who got close to her or her accomplices, then threaten to spray it on them.
Assistant Attorney General Jaime Taft is handling the case for Washington.
Below, the affidavit of probable cause filed with the court is included in its entirety.
The information contained in the affidavit of probable cause are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Attorney General’s Office does not have authority to initiate criminal investigations, unless it receives and accepts a referral from a county prosecutor or the governor. The Attorney General’s Office accepted referrals from the King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom county prosecuting attorneys’ offices.
The Rules of Professional Conduct govern what a prosecutor in a criminal case may say publicly before trial. As the prosecutor in this criminal matter, the Attorney General’s Office and its representatives are prohibited from making public statements beyond the narrow scope allowed by the Rules of Professional Conduct. The office will make every effort to be transparent with the public, while upholding its responsibilities as a criminal prosecutor.
Ferguson’s Organized Retail Crime Unit
In November 2023, Ferguson filed the first felony criminal charges against a Washingtonian for organized retail theft and also announced a leader for the unit. Ferguson partnered with the Legislature to create a central Organized Retail Crime Unit in April 2023.
“Organized retail crime presents a threat to workers and shoppers across the state,” Ferguson said. “We will unite to combat this public safety challenge.”
The need for a centralized unit and more investigative and prosecutorial resources was identified by Ferguson’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force, which convened in 2022. The Task Force includes representatives from state, local, and federal law enforcement, small and large businesses, and retail workers.
The funding for the 10-person unit became available July 1. The office is in the process of hiring investigators, prosecutors, paralegals and a data analyst. The Organized Retail Crime Unit is available to assist with investigations — including coordinating them across multiple jurisdictions — and deploy resources where they are most needed. The unit can prosecute cases referred to the office by county prosecutors.
Organized retail crime involves a group of individuals that steal products in order to resell them for a profit. This does not include petty theft, shoplifting or poverty-driven crimes. Organized retail crime differs from burglary and larceny — such as shoplifting — in that it is not the result of a single individual breaking the law, but rather part of an organized scheme to defraud retailers or to steal products for resale elsewhere. Organized crime can result in intimidation and violence for employees in those stores.
Nine other states have a task force dedicated to organized retail crime. Multiple states recently established similar units in their state attorney general’s office, including Arizona and Michigan.
AFFIDAVIT FOR DETERMINATION OF PROBABLE CAUSE
I, Kim Triplett-Kolerich, declare under penalty of perjury:
I am a Senior Investigator for the Washington State Attorney General’s Office Criminal Justice Division, Major Economic Crimes Unit. I am familiar with the police reports, loss prevention reports, security footage, photo stills, and investigative materials provided by Ulta Corporation detailing the alleged thefts by the Defendant at Ulta Stores in Thurston, Pierce, King, Kitsap, Snohomish and Whatcom counties from October of 2022 to December of 2023.
My findings, described below, provide probable cause to charge Shellonda Keychell Daniel (Daniel) with two counts of Organized Retail Theft in the First Degree, contrary to RCW 9A.56.350(2) and RCW 9A.56.350(1)(c), stemming from the 28 separate theft incidents.
Training and Expertise
Your Affiant has been employed as an Investigator for the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) since September 2014. Since March 2018, I have been a Senior Investigator in the Major Economic Crime Unit. From September 2014 to February 2018, I was an Investigator in the AGO Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU).
Prior to joining the AGO, I worked as a Regional Security Manager with Bank of America from 2012 to 2014. There, I became familiar with banking records, including customer account records, signature cards, bank procedures, and state and federal banking laws and regulations.
From 1999 to 2006, I served as a Detective with the Washington State Patrol (WSP). In 2006, I was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. From 2006 to 2012 I served as a Sergeant until I retired. From 1987 to 1999, I served as a WSP State Trooper.
While serving as a WSP Detective, I was assigned to the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General Fraud Task Force, the Auto Theft Task Force, and the Out-of-State License Task Force. As a member of the Auto Theft Task Force, I received the National Investigator of the Year award for my work on a complex auto theft and drug distribution investigation. During my tenure in the Auto Theft and Out-of-State License Task Forces, I became very familiar with Washington automobile sales and the auto sales industry.
My education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Justice from Central Washington University and an Associate’s Degree in General Studies from Green River Community College. In addition to my education, I have received extensive training in “white collar” investigations from the AGO, WSP, the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units, the National Attorneys General Training & Research Institute, state, local and federal tax authorities, and other professional groups.
I was assisted in this investigation by Jerry Lerum (Lerum), a Senior Investigator for the AGO’s Criminal Justice Division, Organized Crime Task Force. Senior Investigator Lerum has been employed with the AGO since December 1, 2023. He is currently assigned to the Organized Retail Crime Task Force, conducting criminal investigations into all facets of Organized Retail Crime. In 1977, he graduated from Pierce College with an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He attended Central Washington University majoring in Criminal Justice. He was employed by the Tacoma Police Department from 1980 until he retired in 2014. His assignments in 34 years included basic criminal investigations, major serious and fatality accident investigations, including vehicular homicide. In 2005, he was promoted to Sergeant. In 2012, he was promoted to Lieutenant and managed the Major Patrol Operations, the Homeland Security Division, and Traffic Division until his retirement. In 2014, he was hired by Home Depot as an Organized Retail Crime Investigator. He has reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV and participated in over one hundred surveillances. He was also responsible for over 80 high profile investigations totaling several millions of dollars. He has received extensive training in criminal investigations from both state and federal agencies as well as the private sector. This includes the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, FBI, DEA and Homeland Security.
Background on the Investigation
The AGO convened an organized retail theft task force to address the ongoing proliferation of this crime. The AGO openly solicited counties in need to request that the AGO assume prosecutorial authority over Organized Retail Theft (ORT) cases. Ulta, a national chain that sells cosmetics, is a participant in the AGO Task Force. Ulta has gathered information on a serial offender who, with accomplices, has stolen over $200,000 in merchandise from Ulta; and allegedly stolen another $100,000 in merchandise from other mall retailers up and down the I-5 corridor in Washington State.
In January of 2023, Ulta Store Field Investigator Chelsea Tower (Tower) requested the assistance of the AGO’s Criminal Justice Division regarding a series of retail thefts believed to have been committed by Shellonda K. Daniel. Tower provided Ulta Corporation (Ulta) video and other documentation showing Daniel and accomplices committing multiple organized retail thefts at Ulta Beauty stores located in Thurston, Pierce, King, Kitsap, Snohomish and Whatcom counties.
Daniel has a tattoo above her right eyebrow which says “Flawless.” It is believed she wears head/face coverings to conceal the tattoo from law enforcement to prevent quick identification during the thefts.
AGO Investigation
Senior Investigator Lerum and I began our investigation by reviewing thefts alleged to have been committed by Daniel and her accomplices. This consisted of reviewing the police reports, numerous hours of CCTV, and loss reports filed by Ulta and interviewing over 30 current and former staff and customers. The Ulta videos were provided by Ulta Field Investigator Tower showing Daniel entering and exiting Ulta stores, in many of the events using physical force to break into security cases containing merchandise, loading reusable totes with merchandise, and bypassing all points of sale and leaving the premises without purchasing the merchandise.
From our interviews with current and former employees, mostly managers, we learned that stolen inventory is counted and tracked on the manager’s mobile phone with an app called “MIA.” The device scans the barcode from the store shelves to tell them how much product should be in the store versus how much is currently there. The count difference is what was allegedly stolen by Daniel and her accomplices.
After reviewing the investigative material, a very distinctive pattern developed. In the beginning, Daniel and her suspects would obtain the Ulta white shopping basket as they entered the store. They would casually walk directly to the fragrance section and remove high-end beauty products from open display cases; sometimes stealing the white shopping baskets full of product or placing the fragrances into their own bags before exiting the store without paying for the merchandise. In response, Ulta’s Loss Prevention security measures increased to include the use of LM security tags and “spider wrap” to protect these products (see photos below). As a result of these measures, Daniel escalated to making physical and verbal threats and destroying store property to get at the desired beauty products. This behavior included displaying mace/bear spray at employees and customers who got close, and then Daniel and suspects dismantling the secured shelving units and placing them on the floor. During the last several thefts before her arrest, Daniel was tossing the glass cases on the ground to gain access to the product they stole. Daniel was identified in these instances by some positive identifications from Ulta staff, law enforcement officers, and the clothing she was wearing, i.e. North Face jackets and Nike tennis shoes, the totes she used to conceal product and her headwear worn to conceal her tattoo.
Count 1: Organized Retail Theft in the First Degree –
October 1, 2022-January 31, 2023
Below are images of the security measures Ulta utilized to prevent theft. Top left is the glass case lock, middle top is the “spider wrap” and right top is an example of the LM tags. Lower left is an employee at the exit, middle bottom is case master locks and lower right keys for all the new locks.
For the Count 1 timeframe, the thefts start at the Ulta in Lacey, Thurston County, Washington on October 1, 2022, and the final event occurred in Federal Way, King County, Washington on January 31, 2023.
October 1, 2022 at 2:50 p.m.: Three female suspects can be seen on CCTV walking into the Lacey, Thurston County, Washington Ulta store at 1230 Martin Rd and heading directly to the fragrance section. All three suspects began removing high priced fragrances from shelves, primarily targeting Dior, Chanel, and Coach branded items. The suspects concealed the items in large tote bags and carried items in their hands. Many of the fragrances were equipped with LM tags, which are theft deterrent light-sensitive devices that loudly beep when placed into an area of darkness, such as a tote bag. According to a later interview with Ulta employee Dagbjort Barringer (Barringer), the suspects’ bags began beeping loudly and the suspects caused a commotion by yelling throughout their time in the store. As the suspect, who was later identified as Daniel, was exiting with her tote bag, she saw Barringer on the phone and told her, “go ahead and call [the police], we will beat your ass.” The suspects exited the store approximately one minute after entry, bypassing all points of sale.
Lacey Police Department Detective J.J. Dumont identified Daniel as one of the three subjects. He identified Daniel due to her unique tattoo above her right eye, which reads, “Flawless,” and a unique scar in her right eyebrow. Detective Dumont made this identification by comparing the video footage to Daniels’ Washington State’s Driver’s license. Ulta employee Kali Sifuentes conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $5,623.00.
October 1, 2022 at 4:07 p.m.: The same three suspects can be seen on CCTV entering the Puyallup, Pierce County, Washington, Ulta store at 3500 S Meridian Suite 510. A review of the CCTV footage shows they were wearing the same clothing as in the earlier incident in Lacey. They proceeded straight to the fragrance section and began removing high priced fragrances from shelves. An Ulta employee observed the three suspects exit the store, pass all points of sale, and flee into the mall. Of note, the suspect later identified as Daniel was wearing the same clothing from the Lacey theft listed above. According to my interview with McKenna Norris, some of the merchandise had LM tags on them, which were audibly beeping as the suspect later identified as Daniel moved throughout the store. Ulta employee Tharona Foster conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $3,355.00.
December 3, 2022 at 3:21p.m.: Two female suspects can be seen on CCTV entering the Olympia, Thurston County, Washington Ulta store at 2915 Harrison Ave NE, Suite #255. They picked up store-owned white shopping baskets, entered the fragrance section, and attempted to remove several high-end men’s fragrances. However, the merchandise had been secured in glass cases and the two suspects were unsuccessful. Staff observed the two suspects walk to a “Gucci” unsecured display table and grab merchandise. The suspects then fled the store via the main exit, passing all points of sale. One of the suspects was wearing a light pink and black jacket North Face jacket, identical to what Daniel was wearing during the thefts on October 1, 2022 in Lacey and Puyallup. Ulta Staff member Jacqui Braden conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $1,042.00.
December 3, 2022 about 4:36 p.m.: Just over one hour later, three female suspects can be seen on CCTV walking into the same Puyallup Ulta store from the October 1st, 2023 incident outlined above. One suspect is later identified as Daniel as she is wearing the same clothing from the Ulta incident earlier in the day. Daniel walks into the store first, carrying a red tote, and one accomplice picks up a white shopping basket. The three women exit the store in one minute without paying for anything. One left with the white basket half full of merchandise, and Daniel walked out with a small amount of merchandise in her large tote. Ulta employee Jackie Courtney conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $2,196.00.
December 4, 2022 at 3:58 p.m.: Three female suspects can be seen on CCTV entering the Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington Ulta store located at 1 Bellis Fair Pkwy. The three walked into the store and did not acknowledge former Merchandise Service Coordinator Nika Brock (Brock) when she greeted them. They quickly walked to fragrance section and took out the totes they had concealed on their persons. The three suspects destroyed the glass shelving units and were able to grab a lot of merchandise because the displays were fully stocked for the holidays.
During my later interview with Brock, she stated the three suspects were in the store for under a minute – maybe 30 seconds. She took pictures with her own phone but had deleted them by the time of the interview. The suspect later identified as Daniel got snarky with Brock and said something similar to the “fragrance not being locked up was stupid.” Management had installed the glass counters as a way to deter theft, but the shelves and glass doors did not have any locks. The suspect identified as Daniel was wearing a brown North Face jacket, brown cotton sweat suit, black knit hat, and a blue surgical mask. Brock described the event as “very intense” and “frustrating” and there was a lot of clean-up in the aftermath of the incident. Brock conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $17,910.00.
December 4, 2022 at 5:10 p.m.: Just over one hour later, the same three female suspects, wearing the same clothing from the earlier incident, can be seem on CCTV walking into the Marysville, Snohomish County, Washington Ulta store located at 2551 172nd St NE. One accomplice entered first and a couple seconds later, the suspect later identified as Daniel entered, followed by the second accomplice. Daniel was wearing the same brown North Face jacket, brown cotton sweat suit, black knit hat, and a blue surgical mask as in the earlier Bellingham Ulta incident. The CCTV shows Daniel picked up the white Ulta shopping basket while the other two women removed their concealed totes. After wandering the fragrance section for several minutes, the three suspects started quickly removing items from the shelves and placing them in the totes. All three then quickly walked out of the store and bypassed all points of sale. This time, Daniel exited with a large tote filled with merchandise. They were followed out by an unknown store employee. General Manager Yasmine Aceves conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $8,502.00.
December 14, 2022 at 6:40 p.m.: Two female suspects can be seen on CCTV entering the Covington, King County, Washington Ulta store at 27339 Covington Way SE, Bldg A. The suspect later identified as Daniel was wearing a black North Face jacket, an orange sweatshirt underneath, and a black face mask. She entered the store and selected a white shopping basket. After removing several cosmetic items and placing them in the basket, Daniel and the second suspect exited through the main doors, passing all points of sale in full view of Ulta staff. Senior Investigator Lerum and myself later interviewed the General Manager, Kathryn Baldwin. Baldwin stated she had been alerted a possible theft was occurring and came out of the back room and saw Daniel and her accomplice. Baldwin stated she stepped toward the two female suspects and asked, “Can I take that for you?” The suspect later identified as Daniel looked at her and said, “I got it, bitch.” Ulta employee Rochelle Gomez conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $5,035.00.
December 14, 2022 at 7:27 p.m.: Just under an hour later, a second theft occurred at the Tukwila, King County, Washington Ulta store at 17320 Southcenter Pkwy. The same two female suspects, wearing the same clothing as in the earlier Covington incident, can be seen on the CCTV. The suspect later identified as Daniel selected a white shopping basket from the front of the store. After removing a large number of cosmetic items and placing them in the baskets, both suspects left through the store’s main exit, passing all points of sale in full view of Ulta staff. In a later interview with Tukwila Police Officer Erik Kunsman, Store Manager Emilee Williams (Williams) reported that Daniel said to her, “Do you want to get your ass kicked?” Store Manager Williams conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $2,627.00.
December 14, 2022 at 8:00 p.m.: Under an hour later, a third theft was committed at the Renton, King County, Washington Ulta store at 815 N 10th St Bldg 201. The same two suspects from the earlier two incidents can be seen on CCTV entering the store. The suspect later identified as Daniel was still wearing the same black North Face jacket, orange sweatshirt, and a black face mask. As she did in the two previous incidents that evening, Daniel entered the store and selected a white shopping basket. After removing merchandise and placing it in the basket, Daniel removed a black tote which she had concealed in her jacket. Daniel then broke the glass in several display cases and loaded the tote and her basket with the merchandise from within. Both suspects then exited the store via the main exit, passing all points of sale in full view of witnesses. In a later interview with Renton Police Officer J. Turner, Ulta employee Shanna M. Back stated Daniel told her, “If you follow, we will show you what we have in our car.” Ulta employee Alia Bruce conducted a theft inventory and determined the total loss was$ 9,672.00.
December 15, 2022 at 7:45 p.m.: Two female suspects can be seen on CCTV entering the Northgate Ulta store in Seattle, King County, at 401 NE Northgate Way #1110. According to the Seattle Police report and CCTV, Daniel and an accomplice approached Ulta associate Samuel Terracciano (Terracciano). The suspect later identified as Daniel requested Terracciano retrieve thirteen fragrances from the secured case. Terracciano complied and put the merchandise in a white Ulta basket and secured it behind the service desk. Daniel can then be seen on CCTV walking behind the counter and grabbing the basket before fleeing with it out of the store. Daniel was wearing the same orange sweat suit she has worn in past Ulta incidents and her mask did not cover her “Flawless” tattoo, which is how she was identified. Ulta associate Terracciano conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $1,956.00.
December 18, 2022 at 4:14 p.m.: Two female suspects can be seen on CCTV entering the Auburn, King County, Washington Ulta store at 1101 Outlet Collection Way, Ste. 1060. When the suspect later identified as Daniel entered the store, she was wearing a pink North Face puffy jacket with black shoulders, a black face mask, and a brown head-band. She carried a reusable bag and selected a white shopping basket before walking around the prestige cosmetics area of the store. The accomplice wore a brown North Face jacket and selected a white shopping basket. In my later interview with General Manager, Christi Scott (Scott) she stated she observed both suspects concealing merchandise in their totes several times. “Concealing” is a term used in loss prevention when the shopper has a tote hanging from their arm closest to their body while also carrying a basket in front of the tote to conceal it. The suspect then places the products in the tote and the basket appears empty.
General Manager Scott called mall security and the Auburn Police Department. A review of the CCTV footage confirmed staffs suspicions the suspects were “concealing” merchandise in the totes. Based on CCTV, mall security and Auburn Police Department Officer R. Swales contacted both Daniel and her accomplice. From a review of Officer Swales report, he personally observed the suspect later identified as Daniel become verbally aggressive and saw her throw the white shopping basket to the floor when he approached. Daniels and her accomplice exited the store with full, heavy-looking reusable tote bags, without making any attempt to pay for the merchandise. Officer Swales spoke to Ulta Store Field Investigator Chelsea Tower, who identified the suspect in the CCTV footage as Daniel. Field Investigator Tower was able to identify Daniel from previous CCTV footage of Daniel’s thefts at Ulta stores. Ulta employee Marilyn Prast conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $4,453.00.
December 18, 2022 at 4:52 p.m.: Just under an hour later, two female suspects, wearing the same clothing as described in the earlier incident, can be seen on CCTV entering the Puyallup Ulta store. Both suspects filled their baskets and also concealed merchandise in their totes. Based on CCTV footage, it appears that at one point, the accomplice asked an Ulta staff employee for assistance to retrieve a high-value fragrance secured in a glass display. The staff unlocked the newly installed glass display case and took that product and the large quantities of merchandise already in the suspects shopping basket to the back shelf of the service desk. The suspect later identified as Daniel then walked behind the counter and unsuccessfully attempted to take her accomplice’s full basket back. When that failed, Daniel exited the store with her own full basket and tote bag of merchandise, and bypassed all points of sale. Fragrance Guest Service staff McKenna Norris conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $2,279.00.
December 19, 2022 at 6:35 p.m.: Two female suspects can be seen on CCTV entering the Federal Way, King County, WA Ulta store at 1800 S. 320th St. The suspect later identified as Daniel was wearing a camouflage North Face jacket, grey sweat suit, tan Ugg boots and a brown head-wrap. She filled an Ulta store white basket with miscellaneous merchandise including several fragrance items. As she did the day before, Daniel asked staff for assistance with high-value fragrances secured in a glass display case. Same as the day prior, Daniel can be seen on the CCTV walking toward the service desk and then out of CCTV frame. In a later interview with MAC make-up artist, Priscilla Rodriguez (Rodriguez), once at the service desk, Daniel verbally confronted them in an attempt to retrieve the merchandise. At one point, Daniel produced a large canister of aerosol believed to be “bear mace,” pointed it at employee Kenyatta Holmes (Holmes) and stated, “I bet you won’t touch me.” Daniel successfully retrieved the full basket, exited the store and bypassed all points of sale. From Rodriguez’s interview and watching the CCTV, as she was exiting, Daniel grabbed additional merchandise from the display racks near the doors and exited with them. Ulta employee Holmes conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $3,410.00.
December 19, 2022 at 8:20 p.m.: Under two hours later, two female suspects can be seen entering the Issaquah, King County, WA Ulta store at 1480 Highlands Dr NE. The two suspects were wearing the same clothing from the earlier Federal Way incident. Both can be seen picking up a white store basket and proceeding directly to the fragrance department. Both suspects quickly selected numerous high-end fragrances. On her way out of the store, the suspect later identified as Daniel again stopped by a display containing additional merchandise and quickly grabbed several items and exited the store. She bypassed all points of sale without paying for the merchandise. General Manager Andrea Gettler (Gettler) conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $4,650.00.
January 5, 2023 at 3:06 p.m.: Two female suspects can be seen on CCTV entering the Ulta Renton store. Upon entry, they can be seen picking up the white store baskets and walking through the store. The suspect later identified as Daniel staged her basket near the fragrance department before walking around without a basket in hand. The suspects then walked to the fragrance department in the center of the store, where Daniel retrieved her basket and began quickly taking merchandise off the shelves and placing it into the basket. Daniel then physically lifted secured shelves off of the displays in order to gain access to additional merchandise. She placed the products in her tote and bypassed all points of sale without paying for the merchandise when she left the store. Assistant Experience and Store Manager Carla Wilds conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $10,845.00.
January 14, 2023 at 7:25 p.m.: Two female suspects can be seen on CCTV entering the Renton Ulta store. In interviewing Operations Manager Jade Villagarcia (Villagarcia) and watching the video I can see the suspect later identified as Daniel proceed directly to the fragrance section. As in the previous January 5th incident, Daniel took apart the display cases and placed the fragrances into a bag she produced from under her coat. She quickly left the store and bypassed all points of sale without paying for the merchandise. Renton Officer Gall was assigned to show Key Holder Yesica Ayala-Arizmendi a photo montage and she selected the photo of Shellonda Daniel. Operations Manager Villagarcia conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $3,098.00.
January 20, 2023 at 4:13 p.m.: Two female suspects and one male suspect can be seen on CCTV entering the Issaquah Ulta store. I identified one suspect as Daniel from the clothing she has worn in prior thefts: a camouflage North Face jacket, blue and white Nike shoes, and by observing her behavior during the incident. All three walked into the store, headed straight to the fragrance section and pulled out recyclable totes they had hidden under their jackets. The male suspect then left with nothing in his hands, while the other two females left with a recycle tote full of merchandise each. They ran out the door and bypassed all points of sale. Ulta employee Al Godsil conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $9,120.00.
January 21, 2023 at 6:18 p.m.: Two female suspects can be seen on CCTV entering the Renton Ulta store. I identified one female suspect as Daniel from her clothing that she has worn in other incidents: a black North Face jacket, tan Ugg boots, and by observing her behavior during this incident. The two suspects selected a white store shopping basket and proceeded directly to the fragrance department. The suspect later identified as Daniel and her accomplice began selecting and concealing merchandise. As in prior incidents, Daniel ripped down fragrance units, and broke glass and shelving to access secured merchandise. Daniel quickly piled multiple boxes of fragrance into store baskets and exited the store, bypassing all points of sale without paying. Operations Manager Villagarcia conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $6,881.00.
January 27, 2023 at 2:40 p.m.: Two female suspects and a male suspect can be seen on CCTV entering the Bellingham, Whatcom County, WA Ulta store at 1 Bellis Fair Pkwy. I later identified one suspect as Daniel, as she was wearing a black North Face jacket, black beanie hat, and tan Ugg boots, which she has worn in prior incidents. From the CCTV, the other two suspects appear to be the same female and male accomplices from the Issaquah incident only seven days earlier. They again walked into the store with nothing in their hands and went straight to the fragrance section. They placed merchandise in their recyclable totes while Ulta staff can be seen on CCTV watching them. Less than two minutes later the women walked out of the store with full totes. The male walked out with a small bag of merchandise, bypassing all points of sale without paying for any merchandise. General Manager Cristina Corral conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $9,239.00.
January 31, 2023 at 9:50 a.m.: Three suspects can be seen on CCTV entering the Issaquah Ulta store. I later identified one suspect as Daniel because she was wearing the pink North Face puffy jacket and green and white Nike shoes she has worn in other incidents. She is closely followed by the two other suspects, and all three head directly to the fragrance section. From the CCTV footage, Ulta staff are standing within a foot of Daniel, and Daniel is taking items off the shelves and putting them into a recyclable tote that she brought in with her. Less than one minute later all three quickly walk out of the store with tote bags full of merchandise and with staff following right behind them. General Manager Gettler conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $16,022.00.
The Total Loss of Count 1 is $127,915 in Stolen Merchandise from the 20 Ulta Thefts.
Count II: Organized Retail Theft in the First Degree –
November 18, 2023 to December 27, 2023
On November 18, 2023, two female suspects targeted two Ulta locations, Renton and then Lynnwood. Based on my extensive investigation, review of videos and still photos, the clothing one female suspect was wearing, and her behavior in the store, I identify one suspect as Daniel.
November 18, 2023 at 10:39 a.m.: The two female suspects can be seen on CCTV entering the Ulta Renton location. They quickly walked in and went directly to the fragrance section. They removed totes they had concealed under their jackets. The suspect later identified as Daniel did not wear a mask and had her jacket hood up to help conceal her identity. Daniel began removing shelving from its location to gain access to merchandise that was locked behind glass cases. She can be seen on CCTV lifting up display shelves and placing them on the floor. The accomplice ran interference with Manager Yeshon Lim (Lim) who came back to determine where the noise was coming from. In my later interview with Lim, she overheard the accomplice telling Daniel to keep taking product and the accomplice placed a few items in her pockets. They both quickly walked out the door while Daniel carried the tote full of merchandise. They bypassed all points of sale without paying. Manager Lim conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $5,503.00.
November 18, 2023 at 12:38 p.m.: Two hours later, two female suspects can be seen on CCTV entering the Lynnwood, Snohomish County, WA Ulta store at 19401 Alderwood Mall Pkwy #130. The suspect later identified as Daniel, and her accomplice were dressed in the same clothing from the earlier Renton theft. The two suspects walked into the store with nothing in their hands and headed straight to the fragrance section. They dismantled glass display cases, and Daniel can be seen throwing the broken pieces on the ground. They removed as much merchandise as quickly as possible. They put the merchandise into recyclable totes they brought with them. Several Ulta staff watched them as they loaded up their bags. Less than two minutes later, the women walked out of the store with full bags. In reviewing the CCTV footage, the accomplice displayed the bear spray and it was in plain view as they both exited the store and bypassed all points of sale without paying for the merchandise. Ulta employee Iana Smith conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $5,489.00.
November 28, 2023 at 7:56 p.m.: Two female suspects can be seen on CCTV entering the Marysville, Snohomish County, WA Ulta store at 2551 172nd St. NE, Ste.103, five minutes before the store closed. The suspect later identified as Daniel and her accomplice walked directly to the fragrance section. They removed the totes concealed under their jackets and immediately began causing extensive damage to glass display cases. They then grabbed multiple fragrance item in quick succession and stuffed them into their totes. The suspects then ran out of the store with their full totes, bypassing all points of sale without making a purchase.
During my interview with General Manager Yasmine Aceves, she identified one of the suspects as Daniel, and indicated she was 100% confident it was her based on photographs she had seen of Daniel’s previous incidents at Ulta stores in the on-line Auror database. General Manager Aceves and Experience Manger Daniel Lawrence conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $8,928.00.
December 7, 2023 at 6:08 p.m.: Two female suspects can be seen on CCTV entering the Silverdale, Kitsap County, WA Ulta store at 11066 Pacific Crest Pl., Ste. A120. The two suspects proceeded directly to the fragrance department. I later identified one suspect as Daniel because she is wearing the same brown North Face jacket and blue and white Nike tennis shoes I have seen her wear in videos in other incidents. Once at the fragrance department, Daniel can be seen on CCTV removing a tote from underneath her jacket. In front of one employee and two customers, Daniel and her accomplice lifted up shelves and broke glass in four different cases. At one point, Daniel stands on one of the racks to gain leverage and continues throwing the shelving pieces on the ground. All three on-lookers can be seen on CCTV quickly leaving the area. Several other shoppers watched as Daniel and the accomplice quickly removed merchandise and placed it into their totes. They then ran out of the store carrying their totes, which were filled to the brim. From the CCTV, Daniel is carrying hers from the bottom, presumably because it was so heavy. The two women exit the store and bypass all points of sale. The damage was so extensive staff made the decision to temporarily close the store due to the broken glass and the danger it posed. Sales Manager Elisa Ybarra conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $19,459.00.
December 8, 2023 at 6:40 p.m.: Two women can be seen on CCTV entering the Covington Ulta store utilizing the same modus operandi. According to Ulta Experience Manager McKenna Norris, two black females entered the store, proceeded directly to the fragrance department, broke shelves and fragrance cases, selected multiple products, and concealed the products in reusable bags. The two suspects left the store within about five minutes and bypassed all points of sale with the unpaid merchandise. One of the suspects, who was wearing orange leggings and a black jacket, was later identified by Ulta manager Lynita Harris (Harris) as Daniel based on the “Flawless” tattoo above her eye. Manager Harris conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $14,953.00.
December 26, 2023, at approximately 5:58 p.m.: Employees at the Lake Stevens, Snohomish County, Washington Ulta store at 621 9th St. NE., called 911 to report two female subjects had entered the store, were possibly armed, had smashed several glass display cases, and stole perfume. Employees reported that the subjects fled the store in a 2023 Buick Envision bearing WA license plate CGL2705. At the time, an off-duty Snohomish County Sheriff’s Deputy, Chase Marx, was in the store. In a later statement, Deputy Marx indicated he had been in the checkout line when he heard a loud crashing sound coming from the middle of the store and saw two female subjects taking items from locked display cases. When he approached the women, one of them turned to face him and pointed what he observed to be pepper spray or a similar substance toward him and said, “Touch me and I’ll spray you.” Deputy Marx felt as though she would have sprayed him and was fearful of an assault. There was a male civilian near him at the time and Deputy Marx moved the civilian out of the way so that he also would not be assaulted. Deputy Marx then followed the women out of the store on foot and observed them enter the aforementioned Buick. He observed that the women left the store without paying for the merchandise in their bags. Ulta employee Maegan Walden conducted a theft inventory using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $10,118.00.
A review of Lake Stevens Police Department Officer Lyons (Lyons) report shows he reviewed surveillance video from the incident. He stated that one of the women was a heavier set female wearing black pants, distinctive colored Nike shoes, a black North Face jacket with a fur hood, and a pink beanie. She was not wearing a mask and her face was displayed. Deputy Marx indicated to Lyons it was this suspect who had threatened him with pepper spray. Lynnwood Police Department Detective Brady Galloway reviewed the video and identified Daniel as the suspect who Deputy Marx stated threatened him.
December 26, 2023 at 7:26 p.m.: Two female suspects were seen on CCTV entering the West Seattle, King County, Washington Ulta store at 2600 SW Barton St Ste B18. The suspect later identified as Daniel and her accomplice walked into the store quickly, openly carrying their recyclable totes. The two ripped several of the display racks off so hard they moved the entire display. They quickly removed fragrance from the shelving units they destroyed and placed them into the totes. They left several areas of the floor covered in glass and shelving pieces. They ran out of the store, passing all points of sale, and were in and out of the store in just over a minute. Ulta employee Daniel Silvas conducted a theft inventory with the MIA app and determined the total loss was $7,452.00.
Meanwhile, knowing that Buick vehicles are General Motors products and that all General Motors vehicles produced after 2015 are equipped with OnStar, a vehicle GPS device, Detective Galloway obtained a search warrant for OnStar location records for the 2023 Buick Envision bearing WA license plate CGL2705. The warrant was approved by Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Appel. Detective Galloway served the warrant on OnStar on December 27, 2023, at about 5:15 p.m. As a result, OnStar began pinging the vehicle and provided location updates every 15 minutes.
December 27, 2023 at 7:15 p.m.: Ulta experienced a theft at the Federal Way, King County, Ulta store which employees attributed to Daniel. Detective Galloway reviewed the OnStar data and determined that, at 7:21 p.m., the 2023 Buick Envision bearing WA license plate CGL2705 was at the shopping center located at 1706 S. 320th Street, Federal Way, King County, Washington, where the Ulta store is located. Store employees reported that two black females entered the store and headed directly to the fragrance section, where they immediately started breaking glass display cases and placing fragrance into bags. Sales Manager Daniel Johannes inventoried the products immediately following the incident using the MIA app and determined the total loss was $5,754.00. Detective Galloway reviewed the video footage of the incident and identified one of the women, who was wearing a black North Face jacket, as Daniel.
Daniel was apprehended at a Renton, Washington Burger King drive-through by the Snohomish County Violent Offender Task Force on December 28, 2023. She was driving the Buick Envision bearing WA license plate CGL2705 associated with the prior Lake Stevens and Federal Way Ulta incidents. Following her arrest, Detective Galloway interviewed Daniel at the Snohomish County Jail. The interview was recorded. Detective Galloway advised Daniel of her Miranda rights and Daniel agreed to speak with Detective Galloway. Detective Galloway showed Daniel still images from the Lake Stevens incident and asked if it was her, to which she replied, “I guess.” When Daniel was booked at the Snohomish County Jail, corrections deputies photographed her face tattoo and confirmed that it read, “Flawless,” which is consistent with previous identifications of Daniel.
The Total Loss of Count 2 is $77,656.00 in Stolen Merchandise from the 8 Ulta Thefts.
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, there is probable cause to believe that SHELLONDA KEYCHELL DANIEL committed two counts of the offense of Organized Retail Theft in the First Degree in Thurston, Pierce, Kitsap, King, Snohomish and Whatcom Counties, WA.
I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington that the foregoing is true and correct.
Signed this 12th day of February, 2024, at Seattle, WA.
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