Texas duo charged with more than 20 Ulta robberies handed suspended prison sentence
A nationwide crime duo arrested in Ames has been served with a suspended prison sentence, probation and an order to repay damages.
Yunierquis Estopinan Hernandez, 36, and Angel Ragel Nieto Salazar, 32, were each dealt a five-year suspended prison sentence for their role in several robberies at Ulta Beauty stores across the country.
The duo pled guilty to second-degree theft, while charges of ongoing criminal activity and removal of a theft detection device were dismissed. They were both placed on two years probation and were ordered to repay Ulta for stolen items. Estopinan Hernandez must repay Ulta Beauty $43,000, while Nieto Salazar was ordered to pay the store $3,750 for his role in the crimes.
Estopinan Hernandez pled guilty to second-degree theft on July 26 and was sentenced a day later. Nieto Salazar pled guilty on May 19 and was sentenced on June 12. The duo was set to stand trial in Story County before each filed a guilty plea.
“The court imposes this sentence because it provides for the defendant’s rehabilitation and the protection of the community,” court documents said, referencing Estopinan Hernandez’s ruling. “In determining the sentence, the court has considered the sentencing recommendations of the parties (as) well as defendant’s age, criminal history, substance abuse issues and needs, and the facts and circumstances surrounding the offense.”
A winter apprehension in Ames
Ames police arrested the duo in February for suspicion of stealing more $1,000 worth of items from the local Ulta Beauty store.
The pair were linked to Ulta Beauty thefts throughout Iowa, including on Merle Hay Road in Des Moines, Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines, and in Council Bluffs, court documents said. Ulta Beauty's loss prevention officials also connected Estopinan Hernandez and Nieto Salazar to thefts in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.
Estopinan Hernandez was ultimately connected to 24 thefts nationwide, while law enforcement traced Nieto Salazar to seven robberies.
The men were identified in Ulta Beauty video surveillance at several stores in what was identified as a "criminal enterprise," court documents said. The duo allegedly hit the different Ulta stores in five days, racking up a hefty inventory.
How'd police capture the crime duo?
Employees with the Ames Ulta Beauty store filed a report in February of two Hispanic males who had stolen fragrances by concealing them on their persons and fleeing in a silver Toyota, a criminal complaint said. The employees identified Estopinan Hernandez of Fort Worth, Texas, and Nieto Salazar of Farmers Branch, Texas, as the alleged thieves.
Law enforcement tracked down the gray Toyota the two men were driving and uncovered 250 bottles of cologne and perfume valued at more than $1,200 in a black trash bag in the backseat. Officials also secured a large suitcase, backpack and a grocery bag filled with the stolen fragrances. Additionally, authorities uncovered three bank deposit receipts from Feb. 12, two weeks before the Ames arrest, in which the duo had deposited nearly $5,000 in cash.
Brandon Hurley is the editor of the Ames Tribune and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He can be reached at bhurley@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Duo connected to nationwide Ulta theft ring ordered to pay fines, no jail time
