The Queen May Jewelry Store in Cape May had its front door shattered by the thieves during a 2024 burglary. (Photo courtesy of Queen May Facebook page)
Six suspects allegedly involved in a multi-state retail theft ring have been arrested following an extensive investigation that included a burglary last year at the Queen May Jewelry Store on the Washington Street Mall in Cape May.
Cape May Police Chief Dekon Fashaw said the suspects include Marco Honesty, Richard Francis, Dominique Hayes, DeAndre Dudley, Ilon Coles-Melson, and Marcus Gallmon, all from the greater Washington, D.C., and Maryland area.
All six suspects have been charged with conspiring to transport stolen property derived from burglarized consignment shops across multiple states, New Jersey’s U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.
They were charged with one count of conspiracy to sell and receive stolen property that had crossed state lines.
The charge of conspiracy to sell or receive stolen property carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a maximum fine of up to $250,000, or twice the amount of money involved in the crime, whichever is greater.
The arrests follow a lengthy, multi-agency investigation involving the Cape May Police Department detectives, Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations and other law enforcement agencies.
The agencies included the police departments of Cherry Hill, Colts Neck, Roxbury, Englewood, Tenafly, Watchung, Haddonfield, Livingston, Millburn, Margate, and Branchville in New Jersey and police departments from Armonk, N.Y., Philadelphia, and Reisterstown, Maryland, along with their district attorney and prosecutor’s offices.
“Retail theft rings have been hurting our local businesses, which impacts the entire community. Collaborative efforts between various state and federal law enforcement agencies such as this are needed to catch and prosecute the perpetrators of these crimes,” Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland said in a news release.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, the suspects are part of a commercial burglary ring that committed at least 18 burglaries in multiple states between March and November of 2024, including in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware.
Several times, the defendants broke into consignment shops in the middle of the night using sledgehammers and other objects, stole dozens of designer handbags and other items from each shop, and transported the stolen goods across state lines, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
The investigation in Cape May began on May 5, 2024, when police responded to a burglary in progress at the Queen May Jewelry Store on the Washington Street Mall. Upon arrival, officers found the storefront’s glass door shattered and valuable items stolen, with some strewn across the mall area in front of the business.
Cape May police and detectives from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office processed the scene and recovered video surveillance footage, DNA evidence, and items left behind by the suspects, according to the news release.
“Investigative efforts, along with the collaborative efforts of the participating agencies, led to the identification and apprehension of the six suspects for their roles as conspirators and co-conspirators in the theft and subsequent sale or distribution of stolen property,” the release stated.
Cape May Police Chief Fashaw emphasized the importance of continued cooperation among federal, state, county, and local law enforcement agencies to combat criminal activity. He encouraged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or criminal activity.
Anyone from the public who has tips and information can report them to:
• Cape May Police Department: (609) 884-9500
• Submit a tip online at CapeMayPolice.org
• Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office: (609) 465-1135
• cmcpo.tips
• Cape May County Sheriff’s Office (Anonymous Tips): cmcsheriff.net
• Cape May County Crime Stoppers: (609) 889-3597
