A reported $400 theft from an Ulta Beauty store in Michigan led detectives to two suspects police say were connected to more than $27,000 in stolen merchandise from stores across the country.
Current 41-A District Court records identify the defendants as Richard Alejandro Parziale-Molina and Paula Rosmery Vera-Rodriguez. Initial local reports referred to them as Richard Monlina and Paula Rodriguez.
The investigation began September 1 after Shelby Township officers responded to an Ulta Beauty store where a man and woman allegedly took more than $400 worth of merchandise without paying, according to WXYZ. Ulta security told police the pair was believed to be connected to other retail thefts in Michigan.
Detectives worked with the retailer, other law enforcement agencies and Flock license plate reader data as the investigation expanded. Police eventually attributed more than $27,000 in stolen merchandise to the pair and arrested them September 14 after following a vehicle associated with them to another Ulta location.
A $400 Store Theft Opened a Much Bigger Investigation
Detectives identified the suspects while working with Ulta investigators and other law enforcement agencies. Police also used Flock license plate reader data during the investigation.
Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide said the technology helped investigators identify patterns and connect suspects to crimes beyond the township. By the time police announced the arrests, the department said more than $27,000 in stolen merchandise had been linked to the pair.
Police also said Parziale-Molina was wanted in connection with thefts in Alabama.
Police Followed the Vehicle to Another Ulta
The investigation reached its arrest stage September 14, when police monitored a vehicle associated with the suspects as it traveled to another Ulta Beauty store.
Detectives and Ulta security watched Parziale-Molina and Vera-Rodriguez inside the store and observed them concealing merchandise, police said. Officers then arrested both suspects.
Police recovered thousands of dollars worth of fragrances and other merchandise following the arrests.
Court Records Show One Felony Charge Against Each Defendant
Parziale-Molina’s court record, case 2026-26-2152-FY, and Vera-Rodriguez’s court record, case 2026-26-2151-FY, were filed September 16 in 41-A District Court in Shelby Township. Each case lists one felony charge of organized retail crime.
The court records identify Shelby Township Police as the agency associated with the charges. Both defendants were arraigned September 17 and pleaded not guilty.
Each defendant received a $50,000 cash-or-surety bond. The records also show that court-appointed counsel was requested and that conditions of bond and pretrial release orders were entered.
Both cases are scheduled for probable-cause conferences October 1 at 8:30 a.m., followed by preliminary examinations October 8 at 9 a.m.
Michigan’s Organized Retail Crime Act defines organized retail crime as theft of retail merchandise with the intent or purpose of reselling, distributing or otherwise returning the merchandise to commerce. Michigan State Police says a violation of the statute is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
Parziale-Molina and Vera-Rodriguez are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.