National retail theft group suspects arrested in Pleasant Prairie

Three people were arrested at the Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets on Sunday, Oct. 26, who police say had already robbed one store and were planning to rob another store at the outlet mall.

According to the Pleasant Prairie Police Department, officers got information regarding a national retail theft group responsible for a theft at a Nike department store in Oshkosh.

"We were notified that one of the Nike stores up in Oshkosh had recently been thieved," said Pleasant Prairie Public Information Officer Jordan Haske.

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It was anticipated that this group would target the Nike store at the Premium Outlet Mall.

The three suspects arrested at the Premium Outlets

Upon arrival at the shopping center, officers verified the information and identified a vehicle matching the suspects' description. They arrested the people involved and recovered more than $3,000 in stolen merchandise.

During a post-incident investigation, officers learned that these people were connected to a larger Peruvian national group responsible for retail thefts totaling more than $54,000 across multiple states, including New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maine, Virginia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan, Utah, Nevada, and Wisconsin.

All three men were arrested for Receiving/Possession of Stolen Property (valued between $2,500 and $5,000) as Party to a Crime, in addition to outstanding out-of-county warrants.

Police say they believe the three men are connected to a larger Peruvian national group that have been causing Nike stores losses since April 2024. Officers say the group is believed to have hit at least 18 different states.

"We let people know that if you come here, we’re going to stop you and chase you until we get you, and do so safely," Haske said.

Darwin Velasquez

Jose Arteaga-Sanchez

Juan Yancunta-Quiroz