New Jersey

New Jersey Mother-Daughter Duo Indicted in Cosmetics Shoplifting Operation

A mother-daughter duo from New Jersey has been indicted for allegedly running a retail theft ring across six states, the state's attorney general announced Thursday.

Forty-seven-year-old Caroline Britt and her daughter, 23-year-old Breanna Britt, both of Irvington, Essex County, were indicted on conspiracy, shoplifting, identity theft and leading an organized retail theft enterprise charges. Prosecutors say they would steal high-end cosmetics from retail stores, then return them for store credit.

Investigators alleges the women would either shoplift expensive make-up products from Ulta Beauty stores or have other members of their ring shoplift for them. Then the other members or the Britts would allegedly return the items to JCPenney stores for store credit, and eventually turn the credit into cash.

In all, the team is accused of making off with more than $100,000 from JCPenney stores throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts and Maryland for the stolen makeup and other products.

“Shoplifting was the same as stealing cash for this mother and daughter duo, once they devised this alleged scheme,” said Division of Criminal Justice Director Elie Honig. “Schemes like this are one reason why organized retail theft costs retailers across the United States billions of dollars per year.”

The mother-daughter pair could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000 if convicted.

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