Home Depot, Marshalls and more Staten Island retail locations under siege: A look at the escalating shoplifting

May 18, 2023

These retail locations have been victims of shoplifters in 2023. (Staten Island Advance Staff)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — In what has become an alarming trend on the borough, a number of shoplifting incidents have escalated in recent months, sometimes ending in violence.

There have been at least three brazen armed robberies that began as shoplifting at retail locations across Staten Island, in addition to at least five non-violent boosting incidents with loot exceeding $1,000 in value.

According to data from CompStat, the NYPD database that tracks crime citywide, Staten Island has seen grand larceny increase by 13% in 2023, compared to 2022.

So far this year there have been 912 reported incidents of grand larceny compared to 804 the year prior.

Grand larceny is the charge applied to theft of property that is over $1,000.

Previously, the NYC shoplifting report noted that 327 people committed a third of shoplifting thefts citywide.

Michael E. McMahon, the Staten Island district attorney has blamed “reckless policies” for making businesses “less safe and under constant attack from rampant recidivism.”

Below is a reverse-timeline that spotlights nearly a dozen of the shoplifting incidents suffered recently by Staten Island businesses and the circumstances in which they unfolded:

JULY

Tuesday July 25 at 1801 South Ave. in Travis a suspect allegedly brandished a boxcutter and said, “Back the f--k up.” to a asset-protection worker, according to a spokesman for the NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. (Staten Island Advance/Mark Stein)

On the July 25, shoplifting escalated to robbery when a suspect allegedly brandished a boxcutter and threatened a Burlington worker during a brazen daytime heist in Travis.

The episode began when two men entered the store, filling a shopping cart with property before allegedly taking the cart past the registers without paying, a police spokesman said.

An asset-protection worker then questioned the individual pushing the cart, who in turn reportedly brandished a boxcutter and said, “Back the f--k up,” a source with knowledge of the investigation said.

The individual then left the store and allegedly was seen tossing stolen property over the fence at the rear of the store before he scaled the fence and ran eastbound into the wooded area, according to the police spokesman.

Police described the individual sought for questioning as a man with a dark complexion who is about 30 years old and stands about 6′2″ tall and weighs about 140 pounds. He was seen wearing dark-colored clothing.

The morning of July 15, at 111 Quintard St., approximately $2,200 in tires were reported stolen from a service center affiliated with Island Auto Group, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.

An individual who was standing near tires and cars is being sought for questioning in connection with the alleged South Beach grand larceny.

Two unidentified individuals sought for questioning in connection to a grand larceny that occurred in Eltingville in July. (DCPI)

On July 12 two unidentified individuals entered an Eltingville Walgreens located at 758 Arthur Kill Rd., and removed $1,000 worth of merchandise, according to a written statement from the NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made.

JUNE

The NYPD provided surveillance images of the individuals sought for questioning. (Photo courtesy of NYPD)

Two unidentified individuals entered the Ulta Beauty located at 245 Bricktown Way in Bricktown Commons in Charleston on June 16 and allegedly removed between 30 to 40 items valued at approximately $6,000 without paying, according to police.

No injuries were reported and no arrests have been made.

Hope Wilhelmy, was attempting to rob Home Depot on Forest Avenue in Port Richmond when she blasted a person with pepper spray. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)

A few days later on June 20, authorities allege that 52-year-old Mariners Harbor resident Hope Wilhelmy was attempting to shoplift at Home Depot on Forest Avenue in Port Richmond when she blasted a person with pepper spray, according to the criminal complaint based on an investigation by the Staten Island Robbery Squad.

The criminal complaint alleges that Wilhelmy grabbed ceiling fans, tile adhesive and a towel, placing the merchandise in a shopping cart. The 52-year-old suspect then walked past the registers without paying.

The victim grabbed the cart in an attempt to recover the stolen items and a struggle ensued. Wilhelmy allegedly spritzed pepper spray at the victim’s face multiple times, according to the criminal complaint and police.

The victim suffered pain, irritation and redness on the face, according to the criminal complaint.

The criminal complaint does not indicate whether the victim was a store employee.

Wilhelmy has since entered a plea of not guilty to charges of attempted robbery, assault, petit larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, unlawful possession or sale of noxious matter and harassment, according to the criminal records.

Attorney Brendan Tracy previously maintained the innocence of his client, Wilhelmy.

“We’re reviewing my client’s case and are awaiting whatever evidence the DA [district attorney] may have,” Tracy said in a statement. “We look forward to reviewing the discovery and working towards a resolution of this case and preparing our defense.”

April

Renaldo Flores of Grandview Avenue in the Mariners Harbor Houses was arrested and charged in a boxcutter robbery at a discount store and shoplifting episode at Shoprite.

36-year-old Renaldo Flores of Grandview Avenue in the Mariners Harbor Houses was arrested and charged for a boxcutter robbery at a discount store and shoplifting beer from a Shoprite.

On April 30, Flores was on a motorized scooter cart at a Graniteville ShopRite located at 985 Richmond Ave.

An eagle eyed worker spotted Flores allegedly removing packs of Corona beer from store shelves and placing the alcohol in the cart and in his duffle bag, before passing the check out counters, police say.

Several months prior to the April incident, Flores faced allegations of shoplifting that escalated into robbery.

In January, Flores was caught by a Marshalls worker boosting shirts, a portable speaker, a pop socket and shorts from store shelves and placing those items into a duffel bag, a criminal complaint alleges.

Flores allegedly brandished a boxcutter at the worker when asked to return the items.

“You know me,” the criminal complaint quotes the suspect as saying. “You know what time it is. You know what I do.”

Flores then left the store with the stolen loot, the complaint alleges.

On the first full day of stores opening at the Empire Outlets in St. George as the day went on more and more people came to see and shop. May 16, 2019. (Staten Island Advance/ Jan Somma-Hammel)

Zachary Rojas, 42 repeatedly shoplifted at the Gap and Banana Republic factory stores at Empire Outlets on April 17 even though she was banned from entering those locations back in March.

Authorities allege Rojas was captured on surveillance cameras removing clothing items from the shelves of those stores and then leaving the locations without paying on several occasions in April, the complaint alleges.

MARCH

The alleged attacks occurred at the Staten Island Mall in New Springville. (Staten Island Advance/Tracey Porpora)Tracey Porpora

A shoplifter allegedly assaulted a security guard, then brandished a knife after dropping his cell phone in a shoplifting incident that went sideways inside of the Staten Island Mall’s Macy’s on the morning of March 5.

A man allegedly was caught shoplifting and was escorted to a security office when he punched a 29-year-old guard in the face, according to the police spokesman.

The suspect dropped his cell phone to the floor during the scuffle. The suspect allegedly brandished a pocket knife while recovering his cell phone and then left all of the merchandise behind while he fled from the store, the police spokesman said.

The suspect is described by police only as a male wearing a black baseball hat, red jogging clothes and white sneakers.

No arrests have been made and the investigation continues, the police spokesman said.

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