NYC cosmetics store that doubled as fencing operation busted with over $1M in stolen goods: DA

Two people were indicted Wednesday for allegedly running a Manhattan cosmetics store that doubled as a fencing operation — and had more than $1 million in stolen goods in storage, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

Rehana’s Cosmetics, a brick-and-mortar perfume and makeup store at 870 6th Avenue which also ran on online shop, was allegedly a “well-known destination” for pilfered goods snatched up by shoplifters, DA Alvin Bragg said in a Wednesday press release.

When investigators raided the business and two of its Broadway storage units back in January, they found a massive amount of beauty supplies, medicine, vitamins, grooming devices, clothing, handbags, backpacks, kitchenware, appliances, Legos and other toys, coffee machines and vacuums, Bragg’s office said.

The stolen stuff — which filled 450 cardboard boxes — was worth more than a million dollars, authorities said.

More than $200,000 worth of the goods were taken from Macy’s alone, Bragg said.

The rest were allegedly plucked from the shelves of CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Duane Reade, Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, the NHL store and Ultra Beauty.

The DA’s office charged two people — Bibi Rehana Khan, 54, of Mount Vernon; and Aaron Khan, 40, of the Bronx — and Rehana’s Cosmetics with three counts of criminal possession of stolen property, Bragg said.

“Retail theft is a scourge that impacts our local businesses and jeopardizes the safety of employees and customers alike,” Bragg said in the statement.

“We must use every tool in our toolbox to address the root causes of retail theft, and a critical piece of that is upstream, proactive investigations into those who stand to profit.

“In addition to disrupting fencing networks, we will continue to target the small number of recidivists who are driving a significant amount of retail theft and ensure appropriate accountability,” he added.