Four arrested in Miami-Dade investigation into diverted merchandise

Four people were arrested in Miami-Dade in an investigation into the alleged theft and subsequent resale of Bath & Body Works products. The investigation began after an internal audit found missing inventory at the chain's London Square shopping center location. The loss associated with that store exceeds $100,000, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office investigation. At a home searched under a warrant, detectives found 17 boxes of merchandise and approximately $140,000 in cash.

Investigators examined the movement of the products between a warehouse in Medley and the affected store, a route covered by delivery driver Michel Sanchez-Escanelle. The Sheriff's Office alleges that the driver set aside products before completing deliveries and transferred them to other vehicles. Investigators believe Lecsi Linet Figueroa-Martinez picked up some of the boxes removed from that distribution route. The case therefore focuses on several stages in the movement of the merchandise, from transportation to receipt and subsequent sale.

Surveillance footage reviewed by detectives reportedly includes at least two meetings in September behind a nearby CAO Bakery & Cafe. According to the police account, products were transferred in those encounters from the truck to a BMW SUV connected to the driver. On Thursday morning, detectives observed another transfer behind the store and followed Figueroa-Martinez to Hialeah. Surveillance then led investigators to the home of Yosdany Martinez-Bravo in northwest Miami-Dade, where they said they saw the two unload merchandise with another man.

The Sheriff's Office identified the people arrested as Figueroa-Martinez, 24; Martinez-Bravo, 49; Marlie Rodriguez-Benavides, 35; and Sanchez-Escanelle, 44. According to the police report, Rodriguez-Benavides arrived at the home while detectives were still there and was taken into custody. The same report alleges that she bought candles from Figueroa-Martinez for $8 each and resold them for $10. The listed regular price for those candles at Bath & Body Works was $25.

The police report also attributes to Rodriguez-Benavides a statement that she had been buying merchandise from Figueroa-Martinez for six months. According to the document, she said she suspected the products might have been stolen but continued to purchase them. She also reportedly explained that Martinez-Bravo received and stored items for her. These statements are part of the investigation and describe the roles authorities attribute to those arrested; they are not a judicial finding of guilt.

The reported charges distinguish between the alleged roles in moving and reselling the merchandise. Figueroa-Martinez and Sanchez-Escanelle face 12 cargo-theft charges and 12 additional charges related to dealing in stolen property, according to police information. Sanchez-Escanelle also faces 12 organized-fraud charges. Martinez-Bravo and Rodriguez-Benavides each face one charge related to dealing in stolen property. The charges must proceed through the courts and do not by themselves establish the defendants' criminal responsibility.