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Three people accused of stealing at least $180,000 in merchandise from Ulta Beauty stores across the Washington region have been arrested after an alleged four-month crime spree.
The suspects—two D.C. men, ages 21 and 28, and an unidentified 17-year-old boy—are believed to have carried out 15 burglaries throughout the region. Seven occurred in Fairfax County, where more than $50,000 in merchandise was taken, police said.
Their final alleged theft happened March 18, less than a week before the arrests.
Fairfax County police Deputy Chief Gregory Fried described the crimes as brazen acts committed across several jurisdictions over four months.
Police said the spree began Nov. 15 and focused on high-end fragrances, many valued at more than $100. The suspects allegedly entered stores during business hours, filled bags with merchandise and headed toward the exits.
Ulta locations in Bailey’s Crossroads, Fairfax City and Springfield were among those targeted. The retailer has nearly three dozen stores across the D.C. area, including locations in Tysons and Fair Lakes.
Surveillance video released by law enforcement showed three people dressed in black entering a store and loading merchandise into bags. One person appeared to use a hammer to break glass display cases while customers were shopping nearby.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis rejected the idea that the incidents should be viewed simply as nonviolent property crimes. He said shoppers were exposed to the trauma of seeing masked and gloved people enter with heavy-duty hammers and smash display cases.
Investigators currently believe the three suspects were the only members of the burglary crew, Fried said, although police are examining whether they may be linked to additional incidents.
The suspects face charges in Fairfax City and Montgomery, Anne Arundel and Prince William counties. They were arrested in Maryland and are proceeding through the judicial system there before an expected extradition to Virginia.