3 men accused of recruiting teenagers in major retail theft ring
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A joint investigation was announced Wednesday morning involving a massive retail theft case. Video by ktnv.com
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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Three men are accused of using teenagers and young adults to steal merchandise for re-sale, as part of a major retail theft operation.
Metro, North Las Vegas police and agents with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms served a search warrant Wednesday morning on the Sunny Market, a neighborhood convenience store on West Lake Mead and Englestad Street.
The store's owner, 54 year old Amer "Sunny" Ramo was arrested. Ramo is accused of buying and re-selling stolen merchandise.
On Tuesday, Police arrested 35 year old Nabail Dhalai in connection with the case. A warrant was issued for 47 year old Mazen Hamou, the owner of several businesses, and the co-owner of the Hookah Palace. The local and federal law enforcement investigation began with a routine shoplifting call in February. Metro police arrested two young men for allegedly stealing liquor from the Von's supermarket in the 7400 block of South Decatur. According to police, the men told officers they regularly sold merchandise stolen from local retailers to "Sunny". That led to a joint sting operation that culminated in Wednesday's bust. Police say retail theft is a huge problem locally and nationwide, leading to losses as high as $30 billion dollars every year. Sgt. Tim Bedwell says the human cost is also high. According to Sgt. Bedwell, "That's what caused us to look so closely at this, not only from the fact that it's a great loss for the retailers; it's also a great loss for the community in that, basically you're developing criminals at an early age." Hamou faces drug trafficking charges, along with stolen property charges. Stay with Action News for updates on this developing story.
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