Multiple Rhode Island retail thefts believed connected to South American retail theft ring

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — At least three suspects are due in court Wednesday in connection to theft at the Garden City Center in Cranston.

Police believe the suspects are tied to a South American organized retail theft ring.

In Providence, four men were arrested after allegedly shoplifting thousands of dollars’ worth of items from the Providence Place Mall on Monday.

Providence police believe all four men have connections to the same South American organized retail theft group.

A city spokesperson said the shoplifting happened at the Lens Crafters and Victoria’s Secret stores where over $3,000 worth of merchandise was stolen.

The four suspects were identified as 22-year-old Howard Garcia, 19-year-old Ozzie Arenas, 20-year-old Keiner Salas and 21-year-old Beikel Omar Amestroy-Ariellano.

They were brought to court Tuesday and entered no plea to felony charges, including larceny, receiving stolen goods, conspiracy and shoplifting.

The suspects were given a surety bail of $10,000 and issued a no trespassing order for the mall.

Amestroy-Arrelliano remains in custody.

He’s wanted in New York for grand larceny and by U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement for failure to appear for removal from the U.S.

Meanwhile, in Cranston, three of those suspects are also accused of retail thefts in March and February.

More than $7,000 worth of items were stolen from the shopping complex during that time frame.

Cranston police chief, Colonel Michael Winquist, said that the department is working to obtain an arrest warrant for a fourth suspect involved.

The group is tied to a string of thefts across several states, including New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut, totaling over $30,000 in losses.

At least three of the four suspects are expected in court Wednesday on the theft charges in Cranston.

For their charges in Providence, court picks back up in July.