Police said three people had been arrested.
Fairfax, Va. — After months of investigation, detectives announced three arrests in connection with an organized retail theft ring targeting Ulta Stores’ luxury perfumes and hair products.
Fairfax County Police work with Anne Arundel County, Prince William County, Fairfax and the Montgomery County Police Department to identify and demolish the stolen ring. This investigation has led to these crimes going back to the summer of 2024.
“A lot of people are victimized by these types of crime,” said Kevin Davis of Fairfax County. “It’s not a property crime, it’s not a victimless crime.”
Authorities say the burglars are responsible for stealing high-end scents, resulting in a loss of around $190,000. The suspect enters the store, grabs the item and runs away before police arrive.
Fairfax County Chief Gregory Freed said that Ulta started securing expensive items and then swiping through items to escalate to the use of the hammer.
“They’ll come in and break down while people shop with their families during the wide daytime,” Freed said.
Below is a summary of thefts that occurred in various locations.
08/05/24 2500 MD, Annapolis, Blocks of Solomons Island Road 3,000.0008/05/242600 Howesley Road, Annapolis, Maryland$7,382.0011/29/24 9600 Main Street Block, Fairfax, VA $9,683.9212/10/24 5800 Block Leesburg Pike, Intersection of Bailey, VA $7,02412/12/24 5800 Block Leesburg Pike, Springfield, VA $3,46412/27/24 2500 Block Solomons Island Road, Annapolis, MD$7,979.742/20/25 2500 blocks, Solomons Island Road, Annapolis, MD $7,6612/27/25 5800 blocks Leesburg Pike, vaileys court, va $9,189.432 Chapelway, MD, MD $30,710.883/3/25 6500 blocks Frontier Drive, Springfield, VA, VA $9,953.803/3/25 2500 blocks, Solomons Island Road, Annapolis, MD $28,135.203/16/25 1400 blocks South Main Chapel Pike, Tyson, VA $6,7163/18/25 10600 blocks, Manassas, VA $ 9,1853/18/25 15,000 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, Maryland $13,639
Photos of the hammer used during the theft are included below.
Through the investigation, detectives identified several vehicles involved in the theft.
Ulta Beauty customer Ashley Archila-Ventura said he noticed a security guard at the location of the Bailey intersection.
“That’s pretty disappointing,” she told WUSA9. “It’s quite worrying, especially since most women shop at Urta. If I’m in that situation, I don’t know what to do.”
At about 5pm on Monday, FCPD automatic crime enforcement detectives warned the Anne Arundel County Police Department of the location of the suspected vehicle. Police found the car and arrested three suspects.
Damali Kooser, 21, of Washington, D.C., was charged with armed robbery, grand larceny, massive theft with intent to sell, and conspiracy to commit theft. He is being held unconfined at the Anne Arundel County Detention Center, waiting for extradition to Fairfax County.
Rasaan Washington, 28, of Washington, D.C., was charged with felony destruction of property, massive theft, conspiracy to commit theft, and several notable warrant failures. He is also being held unconfined at Anne Arundel County Detention Center. Additional charges are pending.
The 17-year-old suspect has also been identified in connection with theft ring. He was charged with fraud and wandering abond, illegal ingestion of a car, and illegal removal of a car.
With the help of FCPD’s Automotive Crime Enforcement Detectives, Real-Time Crime Centers and AI Technology, investigators tracked down the suspects through license plate readers. Today, they can get alerts for vehicle descriptions without providing a tag number.
“That was over in the old days when we were pulling all the white boxed trucks on the beltway because what we were looking for is more tactical and surgical,” Davis added.
Detectives are asking anyone with more information about these cases to contact McLean District Station at 703-556-7750, Option 2. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-866-411-8477.
