KENTUCKY — Two people were arrested after an investigation uncovered a multi-state retail theft operation that authorities say targeted stores across several states.
According to the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began March 3 after Homeland Security Investigations notified deputies that two suspects had allegedly stolen merchandise from a home improvement store in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Deputies later spotted the suspects’ vehicle on Interstate 24 near the Ohio River bridge and carried out a traffic stop. Authorities identified the individuals as Majkel Malinowski, 37, and Margarita Kaminska, 36. Investigators said both are Polish citizens who were in the United States illegally.
During the stop, detectives discovered shipping company packaging materials inside the vehicle. Authorities later secured a search warrant for a shipping facility, where they recovered a package the suspects had sent shortly before the traffic stop.
Officials said the package contained more than $3,000 worth of stolen merchandise from the Mayfield store.
Investigators determined the items were being shipped to an address in Chicago. Authorities believe the location had previously received several packages containing stolen goods from stores across the country.
According to investigators, the suspects had traveled to retail stores in multiple states—including Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio—allegedly stealing merchandise and sending it to the Chicago address.
Malinowski and Kaminska were booked into the McCracken County Jail. They face charges of receiving stolen property over $1,000, possession of burglary tools, and engaging in organized crime. Authorities said the two could also face additional charges connected to theft in Graves County.
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