Contact: Lieutenant Benjamin Barney, Acting Assistant Detective Commander, Telephone: (401) 444-1220
Colonel Steven G. O'Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, announces that at 1:15 p.m. on October 11, 2012, members of the Rhode Island State Police Major Crimes Unit arrested two suspects for Receiving Stolen Goods over $1,500.00 and Larceny over $1,500.00 as a result of thefts of Alex and Ani bracelets during the manufacturing process.
On Thursday, October 11, 2012, Detectives received information that Alex and Ani bracelets, which were unfinished and had not been released to the public for purchase at this time, were being sold on Craigslist. Detectives in an undercover capacity identified and met with the individual, who was offering the bracelets for sale at a substantially below-market value. Detectives were able to quickly determine that the bracelets were stolen and not yet available for release to the public.
As a result of this investigation, the suspect, identified as Manuel Pagan, age 27, of 104 Sayles Street, Apartment 106, Woonsocket, Rhode Island, was arrested and charged with Receiving Stolen Goods Over $1,500.00.
Detectives were able to determine the larceny was perpetrated by an employee of the plating manufacturer, prior to being released to the public for sale. As a result, detectives arrested and charged Hector Bonilla, age 26, of 104 Sayles Street, Apartment 407, Woonsocket, Rhode Island, with Larceny Over $1,500.00. Both defendants were arraigned and released on personal recognizance.
The wholesale loss to Cinerama, which is the manufacturer of Alex and Ani is estimated to be approximately three thousand six hundred and sixty-two dollars ($3,662.00).
Larceny and Receiving Stolen Goods over $1,500.00 is a felony, punishable by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) or by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years, or by both fine and imprisonment.