Coral Springs police solve a months-old cold case by identifying a suspect in a high-value perfume theft
Coral Springs, Florida – A long-running “cold case” in Coral Springs has finally been solved, though it does not involve murder, missing persons, or violent crime. Instead, police announced that they have identified a suspected perfume thief responsible for walking out of an Ulta Beauty store eight months ago with more than $1,100 worth of fragrance sets.
Raquel Patrice Showers, 33, of Pompano Beach, was charged with felony grand theft for the March 17 shoplifting incident at the Ulta store on North University Drive. Investigators spent months piecing together surveillance images, vehicle registration records, and anonymous tips before identifying Showers as the woman who concealed nine boxed fragrance sets in a pink purse.
“The case unfolded much like a miniature version of a major investigation,” said authorities, highlighting the meticulous work involved in tracking down a single suspect in a busy retail environment.
Store employees recalled that the suspect, described as wearing a black hoodie, gray hat, and carrying a pink purse, set off security alarms while removing fragrances from the shelves. She bypassed all registers and triggered the store’s shoplifting alarm system upon exiting. While the theft itself was over in minutes, the investigation took months to complete.
The first significant break came from a customer in the store’s parking lot, who provided a Florida license plate number belonging to a white pickup truck the suspect had climbed into after leaving the store. While the plate identified the vehicle, determining who had been behind the wheel proved more complicated.
Detective Diane Wantuck of the department’s General Investigations Unit reviewed surveillance footage from the Ulta theft-detection cameras and circulated a “Need to ID” bulletin across South Florida. Records revealed that the pickup truck was registered to a Pompano Beach woman, who initially claimed she shared the vehicle with someone else.
In May, months after the theft, the vehicle owner contacted Detective Wantuck, wishing to remain anonymous, and reported that the truck had been loaned to an acquaintance named “Raquel” around the time of the Ulta incident. By that point, investigators realized the suspect had already been arrested in October for a separate retail theft at the Burlington Coat Factory in Coral Springs.
With booking photos and other identifying information from the October arrest, detectives were able to match Showers to the earlier surveillance stills from Ulta. The case was officially formalized when Detective Wantuck swore out a probable-cause affidavit on November 17, and Showers was taken into custody the same day.
Showers is being held without bond on a felony probation-violation warrant stemming from an older grand theft case involving $10,000 to $20,000 in merchandise. As of Friday, she remained in the Broward County Main Jail. Authorities have not ruled out additional charges as they continue reviewing other retail theft reports involving similar methods.
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Coral Springs police noted that the investigation demonstrates the diligence required to solve even non-violent crimes in a busy retail environment. “This case underscores the importance of surveillance, tip follow-ups, and inter-agency collaboration in successfully identifying and prosecuting suspects,” said officials.
The months-long process involved meticulous review of multiple sources of evidence. Surveillance images from Ulta’s internal cameras, vehicle records, and witness statements were all cross-referenced. Tips were collected anonymously, and investigative bulletins were circulated throughout South Florida. Despite the relatively low monetary value of the stolen items, the case highlighted the persistent problem of retail theft in Coral Springs and the resources law enforcement dedicates to solving such crimes.
Showers’ arrest marks the conclusion of what had been a frustrating puzzle for the Coral Springs Police Department. While the theft itself might seem minor compared to more violent crimes, the case reflects the department’s commitment to holding individuals accountable and deterring repeat offenses. With Showers already facing multiple charges from prior incidents, the investigation may serve as a warning to those attempting similar thefts.
