Great Lakes Wire

Yesterday, Sean Allos, a 54-year-old resident of West Bloomfield, was arraigned in the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County. He faces one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise and eight counts of Receiving & Concealing Stolen Property over $1,000. These charges were announced by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Allos is accused of participating in a theft and resale ring targeting Sam’s Club stores across metro Detroit.

The investigation began in January 2023 when the FORCE team looked into an alleged food stamp fraud operation. This operation reportedly involved obtaining electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card data from 8,000 cardholders primarily residing outside Michigan, mostly in California. The data was allegedly used to reproduce EBT cards in Michigan for fraudulent purchases of energy drinks from Sam’s Club stores in metro Detroit.

Allos is accused of purchasing these energy drinks below market value with the intent to resell them. The ring is believed to have fraudulently purchased and resold thousands of dollars worth of energy drinks.

“Organized retail crime remains a growing threat to our communities and local businesses,” said Nessel. “Our FORCE Team continues to work with law enforcement and retail partners to investigate and prosecute these coordinated schemes. My office remains committed to dismantling these criminal operations and holding perpetrators accountable.”

Allos was charged by Attorney General Nessel in April and was bound over for trial in May. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 30 before Honorable Darnella Williams-Claybourne.

The FORCE Team and the Organized Retail Crime Unit were established by the Attorney General in January 2023 to target criminal organizations stealing products from retailers for profit. Two assistant attorneys general work full-time within this unit alongside special agents from the Department of Attorney General and Michigan State Police detectives. They also collaborate with the FBI’s Detroit Fraud and Financial Crimes Task Force and the Postal Inspection Service. This unit is unique as it is the first such initiative with dedicated staff from the Department of Attorney General.

The FORCE Team works closely with retailers and local law enforcement agencies to combat organized retail crime. Recent corporate partners include Sam’s Club/Walmart, Meijer, Target, Home Depot, TJ Maxx, Rite-Aid, Lululemon, Ulta Beauty, Amazon, and Lowe’s.

For all criminal proceedings, it should be noted that a criminal charge is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.