Two Polish nationals arrested in McCracken County in connection with multistate retail theft ring
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky. (KBSI) — Two foreign nationals were arrested Tuesday in McCracken County in connection with an alleged multistate retail theft operation, according to the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office.
The arrests were made March 3 after Homeland Security Investigations notified deputies that two suspects had just committed a theft at a home improvement store in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Deputies and detectives located the suspects’ vehicle on Interstate 24 near the Ohio River bridge and conducted a traffic stop. Authorities identified the suspects as Majkel Malinowski, 37, and Margarita Kaminska, 36, both residents of Poland who officials said were in the United States illegally.
During the stop, investigators discovered packaging materials and shipping tape from a delivery service. Detectives later executed a search warrant at the shipping company and seized a package the pair had shipped shortly before being stopped. Officials said the package contained stolen merchandise valued at more than $3,000 from the Mayfield store.
Homeland Security investigators also contacted the Chicago Police Department, which assisted in the investigation. Authorities determined the stolen items were being sent to an address in Chicago connected to two other individuals. Investigators said multiple packages believed to contain stolen goods had been delivered to the location from various parts of the United States in 2026.
Authorities said the investigation found the pair had visited retail stores in Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio. Officials believe the suspects stole merchandise from stores in those states and shipped the items to the Chicago location.
Malinowski and Kaminska were booked into the McCracken County Jail and charged with receiving stolen property over $1,000, possession of burglary tools and engaging in organized crime. Officials said both also face charges related to the theft in Graves County.
