(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the sentencings of OMAIAH THOMPSON, EMMANUEL HUERTAS, ELIJAH WEBBER and KEYSHAWN MIDDLETON, for engaging in the retail theft of more than $7,000 worth of fragrances from the Ulta Beauty retail store located in Smithaven Plaza, Lake Grove in April 2022.
“My office has made combatting organized retail theft a top priority. Through our partnership with local and state law enforcement agencies, we have been able to catch many of those who have committed brazen and egregious retail thefts over the past year,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My prosecutors followed these cases through to conclusion. In Suffolk County, you cannot steal other people’s property without consequences. We will continue to use every law enforcement tool at our disposal to see that these types of criminals are prosecuted and held responsible for their actions.”
In early 2022, Ulta Beauty stores were the victim of numerous grand larcenies throughout the Tri-State area and Suffolk County. The Suffolk County Police Department conducted surveillance at Ulta retail locations throughout the county in an effort to determine the identity of the suspects of these repeated larcenies.
On April 1, 2022, Suffolk County Police Detectives assigned to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Squad were conducting surveillance at an Ulta Beauty Store in Lake Grove when THOMPSON, MIDDLETON, HUERTAS and WEBBER were observed stealing approximately $7,430 worth of fragrances from that location. MIDDLETON, WEBBER AND HUERTAS entered the store while, THOMPSON remained in the getaway vehicle. The men took fragrances from the store without paying for them then attempted to flee in a white Mercedes driven by THOMPSON. While driving the Mercedes in an attempt to escape, THOMPSON intentionally hit an unmarked DA Squad vehicle as detectives were attempting to stop the defendants. The four were ultimately arrested in the parking lot.
On September 19, 2022, THOMPSON, 25, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty to one count of Attempted Assault in the Second Degree and one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree. THOMPSON was represented by Joseph Hanshe, Esq. On March 28, 2023, THOMPSON was sentenced to two and three quarters (2¾) to five and a half (5½) years in prison. She is also serving time for a conviction related to weapons charges in the Bronx.
HUERTAS, 21, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree on August 25, 2022. On January 13, 2023, Huertas was sentenced to six months in the Suffolk County Jail and five years of probation. HUERTAS was represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County.
WEBBER, 20, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree on October 13, 2022. He was sentenced on November 16, 2022 to six months in the Suffolk County Jail and five years of probation. WEBBER was represented by Lane Bubka, Esq.
MIDDLETON, 24, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree on August 17, 2022. He was sentenced on January 12, 2023 to three months in Suffolk County Jail and three year of probation to run consecutive to a one year jail sentence he is currently serving in Manhattan. MIDDLETON was represented by Christopher Cassar, Esq.
THOMPSON, HUERTAS, WEBBER and MIDDLETON’S cases were all heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Anthony S. Senft, Jr.
This matter was investigated by the District Attorney’s Detective Squad within the Financial Crimes Bureau and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Robert Kerr.