Man Charged In $11K Theft At Ulta Beauty Store In Meriden: Police

MERIDEN, CT — A New York man has been arrested in connection with the theft of more than $11,000 worth of items from Ulta Beauty in Meriden last August.

Jebocka Perkins, 22, was picked up by Meriden police on Wednesday at the Westchester County Correctional facility in Valhalla, New York, where he was in custody.

Perkins was arrested on a warrant and charged with organized retail theft, second-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny.

The arrest stems from a shoplifting incident at the Ulta Beauty store at 533 South Broad Street in Meriden on Aug. 27, 2023, according to Lt. Darrin McKay.

McKay said Perkins and three women entered the store around 6 p.m. They were wearing surgical masks on their faces and each was carrying a bag, according to McKay.

All four began loading the bags with “assorted perfumes, fragrances, and other store merchandise before running out of the store,” according to McKay.

The suspects left in a vehicle with a New Jersey registration. Store personnel got a description of the vehicle and the registration plate, which McKay said was shared statewide.

The vehicle was later spotted by a Connecticut State Trooper, but the driver refused to stop, and the trooper lost sight of the vehicle in the New Canaan area, according to McKay.

“The New York State police were also alerted and soon thereafter, our agency was notified that the suspect’s vehicle had been spotted by New York State police officers who attempted to stop the vehicle,” McKay wrote in a news release. “The suspect’s vehicle would subsequently crash at which time two of the occupants were immediately taken into custody. The other two occupants that were involved in the theft fled on foot; however, they were apprehended a short time later in the area by the Westchester County Police.

“This investigation was conducted by Officer Max Stone and his efforts which were exhibited during this case were exceptional. His investigative efforts, quick actions on the night of the theft, and his follow up work and collaborative efforts with the CT State Police and the New York State Police led to the arrest of Perkins and the recovery of over $11,000 worth of merchandise which was stolen from Ulta on the night of the theft.”

Perkins was held in lieu of a $51,000 bond with a court date of Feb. 28.

McKay said the investigation is ongoing, and additional arrests are expected.