Beauty store bandit sentenced almost 10 years

The Honorable Judge Gazzaniga sentenced 23-year-old Andrew Morando to nine years and eight months in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for felony grand theft, burglary and more on Jan. 22. In March 2025, the defendant burglarized a local Lincoln beauty store, stealing merchandise valued at over $24,000 and causing more than $10,000 in damage. The defendant was later arrested by the California Highway Patrol following a high-speed vehicle pursuit ending in a crash, where stolen merchandise and a crowbar were recovered from the vehicle. Through the Placer County District Attorney's Retail Theft Program, the defendant was also linked to an organized retail theft scheme spanning across seven counties, resulting in approximately $290,000 in stolen merchandise and property damage. The defendant primarily targeted beauty stores but also burglarized other brand retail locations. In each incident, the defendant would wear a Joker mask that would place an extra level of fear in the employees of the businesses. He and his associates operated after hours using a distinct crowbar, mask, plastic totes, and consistent clothing, smashing display cases and causing thousands of dollars in damage in addition to the thefts. The stolen merchandise was then resold primarily through social media platforms. The retail theft team's dedicated crime analyst examined the defendant's patterns—including the locations targeted, the timing of the burglaries, and the consistent method of operation—to develop a predictive analysis identifying likely future targets. Working in close partnership with the stores affected, the team then focused on strengthening security measures at those locations believed to be at the highest risk. This coordinated, data-driven approach allowed law enforcement and retail partners to proactively disrupt the criminal activity and ultimately stop the organized theft operation. Partnered with the Lincoln Police Department, Placer County Sheriff's Office, and the California Highway Patrol Valley Division's Organized Retail Crime Task Force, search and arrest warrants were ultimately executed to bring this ring to justice. During the victim impact statements, it was shared that beyond the significant financial loss, the defendant's planned and repeated offenses created ongoing fear and emotional turmoil for employees. The extended spree made retailers ask themselves every night when they locked their doors, "Are we next"? They forced one of the companies to invest tens of thousands of dollars in additional security measures, not covered by insurance. That impact extended beyond the retailer, affecting local communities through lost tax revenue and increased strain on resources. They expressed appreciation for the coordinated efforts of the Placer County District Attorney's Office and partnering law enforcement agencies in bringing the crime spree to an end. The case was prosecuted by the office's Special Prosecution Unit's dedicated retail theft prosecutor Emmett Smith, who was given jurisdiction from all affected counties, allowing him to prosecute eleven thefts occurring in seven different counties. This case further demonstrates how the Placer County District Attorney's Retail Theft Program uses advanced forensic analysis and coordinated efforts with law enforcement and retail partners to disrupt and dismantle organized retail theft rings. Learn more at placer.ca.gov/RetailTheft