A Maryland man was sentenced to 60 months in prison for conspiring to transport stolen property from burglarized consignment shops across several states, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced on Aug. 3.
Dominique Hayes, 30, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, received a 60-month sentence from U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court on July 29. Hayes was also ordered to pay $2,167,688 in restitution to the victims following his guilty plea on November 18, 2025, to one count of conspiracy to receive stolen property.
According to documents filed and statements made in court, Hayes participated in a commercial burglary ring responsible for at least 18 burglaries between March and November of 2024 across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. The group targeted consignment shops during nighttime hours using sledgehammers and other tools to break windows and doors before stealing designer handbags and other goods. Stolen items were transported across state lines for sale or disposal. Some shops were burglarized more than once by the group. Authorities said that the total loss suffered by the victims exceeded $2 million.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited Homeland Security Investigations-Newark under Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas with leading the investigation that resulted in charges against Hayes. He also acknowledged assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies including state police departments from New Jersey and Delaware as well as numerous county prosecutor’s offices and local police departments throughout affected regions.
Anyone who believes they may be a victim or has information about these burglaries is encouraged to call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or contact a local field office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly M. Lyons of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark, while Bruce S. Rosen serves as defense counsel for Hayes.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey is part of the Department of Justice and staffs about 170 attorneys and support personnel covering statewide operations through offices located in Newark, Trenton and Camden; it prosecutes federal crimes—including those involving organized theft—and represents the United States in civil matters across New Jersey while advancing community safety through law enforcement coordination programs, according to the official website.