Brea police said a woman was taken into custody in a Tarzana parking lot after a string of beauty supply store thefts across Orange, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties totaling more than $15,000 in merchandise.
A woman was arrested in a Tarzana parking lot on Thursday after Brea police detectives linked her to a string of beauty supply store thefts across Southern California, according to the Brea Police Department.
The department said the suspect allegedly stole more than $15,000 worth of cosmetics and beauty products during 14 separate incidents at 13 stores spread across Orange, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties. The total value of the merchandise was estimated at $15,164.73.
Police released surveillance images showing the suspect taking products at multiple locations, along with a video of her being taken into custody in Tarzana. The suspect's name has not been released.
According to the department's social media post, the reported locations and approximate merchandise values were:
The spree ended in Tarzana, where the arrest took place.
In a statement posted to its Facebook page, the Brea Police Department noted the high dollar amount involved and added a pointed remark. "That's one expensive beauty routine," the department wrote.
"Her shopping spree eventually ended in a Tarzana parking lot, where our detectives took her into custody," the department continued. "She may have skipped the checkout line, but she couldn't skip the consequences."
Because each incident exceeds the $950 threshold that elevates theft to a felony under California law, and because the conduct spanned multiple stores and jurisdictions, the suspect could face multiple felony counts. The department did not immediately release the specific charges, and prosecutors have not yet confirmed whether any formal charges have been filed.
This article was generated with AI assistance.