A Bonsall woman who ran a retail theft ring that targeted stores nationwide and resulted in millions of dollars in losses was sentenced Thursday to five years and four months in state prison.
Michelle Mack, 54, was also ordered to pay $3 million in restitution to Ulta and Sephora, as those stores were the ones targeted by members of the theft ring over the course of nearly a decade, according to the California Attorney General’s Office, which prosecuted the case in San Diego Superior Court.
Mack pleaded guilty to charges that include conspiracy to commit a crime. The restitution amount is to be split with her husband and co-defendant, Kenneth Mack, who previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced last year.
Prosecutors say Mack directed others to shoplift products — largely high-demand makeup items — from various retail stores and then resold the stolen products on her online Amazon storefront.
Attorney General Rob Bonta said those items were resold on her storefront for “a fraction” of their usual price.
Bonta said the crimes took place “from the West Coast to the East Coast,” while also striking stores in 21 California counties.
A prosecutor said that along with the Macks and other defendants who have already been sentenced, one remains at large, while two others are in custody and awaiting transport to San Diego for prosecution.
