Details:
Sheriff Chronister was joined by Attorney General Ashley Moody and members of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
“Retail theft is not a victimless crime,” said Sheriff Chronister. “It impacts business owners, shoppers and our community. The actions of these criminals contribute to you paying more at the register.”
The first investigation started in June of 2019 when The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Organized Retail Theft Task Force received information about an organized crime ring from the Tampa Bay Regional Intelligence Center (TBRIC). After developing probable cause, the task force obtained and served a court-authorized search warrant for 2611 Emma Street East.
“Retail theft is not a victimless crime,” said Sheriff Chronister. “It impacts business owners, shoppers and our community. The actions of these criminals contribute to you paying more at the register.”
The first investigation started in June of 2019 when The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Organized Retail Theft Task Force received information about an organized crime ring from the Tampa Bay Regional Intelligence Center (TBRIC). After developing probable cause, the task force obtained and served a court-authorized search warrant for 2611 Emma Street East.
As a result, Samya Harris, Pernell Bethell, Clarence Walters and Ronald West were arrested.
After interviewing those arrested, the task force identified Lee York, 39, as the head of this organization.
York was arrested and charged with:
- Dealing in Stolen Property
- RICO Conspiracy or Endeavor
- Cheating
- Unlawful Use of Two Way Communications Device
- Grand Theft Second Degree
- RICO Violation
As a direct result of this investigation, another woman, Konaa Engram, 30, was also charged with Racketeering among other charges.
Detectives recovered 50 boxes of unopened diapers, multiple packages of paper towels, toilet paper and brand new tools from the home on Emma Street.
The task force was able to connect 26 cases of theft to these individuals.
The second investigation began in July of 2019 and centers around a home at 3009 Crest Avenue West. The task force started investigating after receiving information from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and FDLE about the home being a central location for a Cuban theft organization. Detectives pinpointed Jose Valdivia-Quinones, 45, of Tampa, as the head of the organization.
The task force used confidential sources to conduct two stolen merchandise transactions at the home.
During the transactions, Valdivia-Quinones instructed the confidential source to steal certain items from specific stores and then compensated the confidential source for the theft.
With this information, the task force obtained a search warrant, arrested Valdivia-Quinones and recovered more than 1,100 pairs of brand name shoes, more than 500 bottles of unopened cologne, multiple personal grooming items, clothing, purses and high-end watches (i.e. Rolex). The items recovered are valued at approximately $180,000.
Valdivia-Quinones is now charged with Racketeering and two counts of dealing in stolen property.
“Your Sheriff’s Office won’t stand for this type of crime,” said Sheriff Chronister. “As made evident with these arrests, our team of professionals are very good at what they do. Our organized retail theft task force will track down the people responsible for these crimes.”