Tens of Thousands of Dollars in Stolen Goods Recovered at Chinatown Store
BOSTON, Nov. 25, 2015—Boston Police and Suffolk prosecutors have brought what’s believed to be the first case under a new statute targeting organized retail crime, Police Commissioner William B. Evans and District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.
PHUONG QUACH (D.O.B. 4/21/61) of Dorchester, FENG DENG (D.O.B. 10/25/44) of Quincy, and CINDY TRAN (D.O.B. 1/21/66) of Malden were arrested last night and arraigned today after a 10-month investigation into the purchase and sale of stolen goods at My-Tan Fashion and Super 99¢ Plus store in Chinatown. All three were charged with receiving stolen property over $250, distributing counterfeit goods, and aggravated organized retail crime under Chapter 266, Section 30D, of the Massachusetts General Laws, which was passed in April.
Items allegedly stolen from Boston retailers and sold by My-Tan Fashion. The case is believed to be the first brought under Massachusetts’ organized retail crime statute.
“These individuals thought they could operate in the City of Boston and undermine legitimate, hardworking business owners,” said Commissioner Evans. “My detectives worked tirelessly during this investigation and I want to thank them and the Suffolk County prosecutors for their great work on this case.”
Assistant District Attorney Michele Granda, chief of the DA’s Special Prosecutions Unit, recommended that Quach be held on $15,000 cash bail and that Feng and Tran be held on $10,000. Boston Municipal Court Judge Michael Coyne set bail at $500 for Quach and $300 for Feng and Tran. All three were ordered to surrender their passports and check in weekly with probation officers.
“This isn’t a shoplifting case,” Conley said. “This is the very reason the organized retail crime statute was signed into law. We allege that the defendants played a knowing role in the theft and unlawful resale of tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of goods.”
Quach, Deng, and Tran are accused of knowingly purchasing cosmetics, toiletries, household goods, clothing, and other items from shoplifters who had stolen them from retailers in the downtown area. In some cases, police and prosecutors said, the defendants actively requested shoplifters procure certain items for them. These items were then offered for sale in the Washington Street shop at prices significantly lower than the original retail price.
Based on evidence gathered during “Operation Sunblock” by Boston Police detectives assigned to District A-1, retailers across the downtown area have apprehended and debriefed numerous shoplifters since at least January and learned that they regularly stole from these businesses and sold the stolen goods at My-Tan Fashion. The interrupted thefts ran from razors and lotion to designer clothes and shoes.
Items allegedly stolen from Boston retailers and sold by My-Tan Fashion. The case is believed to be the first brought under Massachusetts’ organized retail crime statute.
Plainclothes investigators observed store brand products offered for sale with the original retailer’s price tag and a My-Tan Fashion price tag at a lower price. In some cases, the defendants sold these items at prices lower than even the wholesale cost paid by national retail chains: an over-the-counter antacid, for example, was priced at My-Tan Fashion for $13.99 – $15 less than the retail price at a chain pharmacy a few blocks away, and $10 less than the wholesale price the pharmacy paid.
Boston Police executed a search warrant at My-Tan Fashion yesterday, recovering at least 5,000 items with an estimated retail value of more than $100,000. They found no cash register, business records, or paperwork showing inventory or sales. In a recorded statement, Quach allegedly made statements admitting knowledge that the seized items had been stolen.
In addition to the goods believed to have been stolen, police seized dozens of items that appear to be counterfeit designer handbags and wallets sold as items from Burberry, Coach, and other manufacturers. It could take weeks to tally the total number and value of the seized items, authorities said.
Quach, Deng, and Tran were represented by attorneys C.L. Malcolm, Thomas Glynn, and Stephen Gomes. They will return to court on Jan. 25.
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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
