Retail Crime Ring Uncovered: Albany DA’s Shocking Indictment of Three Suspects!
Albany County District Attorney David Soares announced the indictment of three women from Albany for their involvement in a significant retail crime ring in the Capital District.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Oct. 2, Soares revealed the charges against Winter Vandross, 19, Zamaria Williams, 22, and a third suspect, Myunique McQueen, 21, who was at large at the time but later arrested on Friday, Oct. 11.
These individuals were involved in thefts totaling over $78,000 in merchandise from stores like Kohl’s, LensCrafters, and Ulta Beauty, with the crimes occurring over just three months.
Soares explained that recent bail reform laws have made it more challenging for judges to set bail in cases like this, allowing suspects to reoffend multiple times.
The bail reform passed in 2020 prevents judges from setting bail for non-violent crimes, such as petit robbery and grand theft, which has led to increased frustration among law enforcement officials.
Soares emphasized that these reforms have created a “revolving door” for repeat offenders who continue to commit crimes without facing immediate consequences.
Spotlight News had previously reported on these suspects, uncovering a larger network of thefts valued at $110,000 involving additional retailers like Macy’s, Home Depot, Dick’s, and Lowe’s.
Over the past two years, eight suspects have been identified, and multiple police agencies have issued numerous warrants. Despite this, the suspects have remained free to commit more crimes.
The stolen goods were primarily sold through online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, further complicating efforts to stop the crime ring.
Soares praised the Colonie Police Department for their efforts and stressed the importance of collaboration between law enforcement, retailers, and loss prevention teams.
Many thefts go unreported, making it harder to combat the rising issue of retail theft.
Although Myunique McQueen’s identity was initially not confirmed at the press conference, Spotlight News verified her involvement through various sources.
Along with McQueen, Vandross and Williams were taken into custody, though Williams had already been charged with several other crimes.
She faced additional charges of grand larceny for thefts from Kohl’s and Dick’s in Latham. Even with multiple charges and a bench warrant for failing to appear in court, she was released under probation supervision after a County Court hearing.
Despite the charges, Williams and McQueen are part of a larger web of suspects involved in retail thefts across several counties.
Others, like Jonneasia A. Welcome, 20, and Desiree Fowler, 22, were arrested for thefts from Ulta Beauty, Lowe’s, and Price Chopper, among other retailers. Both women continue to face warrants for their arrests, with some currently held in county jails.
Meanwhile, Pickens, another key player in this crime ring, is in jail for other convictions, including a 2012 bank robbery.
As the investigation continues, Albany District Attorney Spokesman Darrell Camp explained that while this indictment covers a brief period, it highlights the scale of retail theft and its impact.
He hinted at the possibility of more charges being filed in the future, as uncharged crimes and additional offenses are still under review.
However, under New York State law, the maximum sentence these women could face if convicted is capped at 10 to 30 years, regardless of the total number of charges or offenses.
Soares and other officials are working to address the challenges presented by bail reform, especially in cases involving non-violent but repetitive crimes like retail theft.
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As law enforcement continues to tackle this issue, the coordination between retailers, police, and prosecutors will be essential in bringing these suspects to justice and preventing further crimes.