Two men arrested for alleged involvement in organized retail theft ring

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Two people have been arrested and charged in connection to an organized retail theft ring.

Norman Cipriano, 52, of Warwick and Patrick Vigneau, 59, of Cranston are accused of stealing around 60,000 items, worth an estimated $1.6 million.

A three-year investigation unveiled this alleged organized retail theft ring.

Warrants uncovered a large amount of stolen goods at multiple locations.

Most of the items found were over the counter drugs and cosmetics.

Much of the activity was online through Amazon, Walmart, and eBay.

Cipriano and Vigneau are facing multiple charges.

According to the Cunha, both suspects have a history with law enforcement.

The ring is alleged to target retailers nationwide and resells stolen goods in bulk to other retailers and directly to people.

Cunha believes these men were ‘diverters,’ or leaders, in the ring.

“I have to say this is not a victory lap, but a call to action,” said special agent in charge for homeland security investigations in New England, Michael Krol. “Consumers beware, do your due diligence. Buy from reputable sellers and if the price is too good to be true, then it probably is.”

Cunha’s office alleged this Rhode-Island based organized retail crime theft has netted roughly $12.3 million dollars over time.

“They put our friends, neighbors, and family members who work in retail at risk from the violence that can occur if a thief is confronted,” said Cunha. “They impose a heavy economic price as the cost of theft-driven losses impact all of us at the register.”

Officials added investigation remains ongoing at this time as they try to find other key players in the alleged theft ring, including the organizer.