KENTUCKY — Two people were arrested following an investigation into a multi-state retail theft ring that authorities say involved stores across several states.
According to the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began on March 3 after Homeland Security Investigations alerted deputies that two suspects had allegedly stolen merchandise from a home improvement store in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Deputies later located the suspects’ vehicle on Interstate 24 near the Ohio River bridge and conducted a traffic stop. The individuals were identified as Majkel Malinowski, 37, and Margarita Kaminska, 36. Investigators say both are citizens of Poland who were in the United States illegally.
During the stop, detectives found packaging materials from a shipping company in the vehicle. Authorities later obtained a search warrant for a shipping facility, where they recovered a package the suspects had sent shortly before the traffic stop.
Officials said the package contained more than $3,000 worth of stolen merchandise from the Mayfield store.
Investigators determined the items were being shipped to an address in Chicago. Authorities believe the location had previously received multiple packages containing stolen goods from stores around the country.
According to investigators, the suspects had traveled to stores in several states, including Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio, allegedly stealing merchandise and shipping it to the Chicago address.
Malinowski and Kaminska were booked into the McCracken County Jail. They are charged with receiving stolen property over $1,000, possession of burglary tools, and engaging in organized crime. Authorities say the two could face additional charges related to the theft in Graves County.
