His method of stealing toys was simple and effective.
He would take a retail item, empty its box, and put a more expensive item or items inside.
He would then take it to the cash register and be charged for the less expensive item.
In this way, a mother and son team from Florida allegedly managed to steal some US$2 million (S$2.48m) worth of toys from Toys "R" Us stores in the US.
But after a crime spree said to have lasted years, the law finally caught up with them and Michael Ignatius Pollara, 46, and his 70-year-old mother, Margaret Pollara, were arrested.
Vacation
The task force that stopped the Pollaras said at a press conference that the son had been stealing for more than 10 years from various retailers, including Kmart, Sears, Walmart, Target and Macy's.
He told detectives that he made so much money that it was enough to fund a nice vacation in Hawaii, the authorities said.
Michael Pollara was responsible for thefts at 31 Toys "R" Us stores in Florida alone, the Broward Sheriff's Office said last week.
Since Toys "R" Us began investigating on May 9, Pollara had been in 139 of the chain's stores across 27 states, from Arizona to Maine, and had spent US$6,738, according to the affidavit.
Said Sergeant Rich Rossman from the sheriff's office: "It was one of his goals to visit all 50 states and commit thefts in all 50 states, which he was very proud of - he did succeed."
What makes this even more shocking - are the distances Michael Pollara would go to to carry out his crimes, reported CBS Miami.
"He drove 7,900 miles," Sergeant Rossman said.
"He...drove all the way to North Dakota (another US state) and back - impacting retailers across the country. Michael travelled the entire country doing this. He was a one-man wrecking crew," he added.
Michael Pollara faces 13 counts for grand theft, felony petty theft, dealing in stolen property, criminal conspiracy and organised scheme to defraud, according to court records.
His mother faces six counts for grand theft, petty theft, criminal conspiracy, and organised scheme to defraud, court records show.
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He would take a retail item, empty its box, and put a more expensive item or items inside.
He would then take it to the cash register and be charged for the less expensive item.
In this way, a mother and son team from Florida allegedly managed to steal some US$2 million (S$2.48m) worth of toys from Toys "R" Us stores in the US.
But after a crime spree said to have lasted years, the law finally caught up with them and Michael Ignatius Pollara, 46, and his 70-year-old mother, Margaret Pollara, were arrested.
Vacation
The task force that stopped the Pollaras said at a press conference that the son had been stealing for more than 10 years from various retailers, including Kmart, Sears, Walmart, Target and Macy's.
He told detectives that he made so much money that it was enough to fund a nice vacation in Hawaii, the authorities said.
Michael Pollara was responsible for thefts at 31 Toys "R" Us stores in Florida alone, the Broward Sheriff's Office said last week.
Since Toys "R" Us began investigating on May 9, Pollara had been in 139 of the chain's stores across 27 states, from Arizona to Maine, and had spent US$6,738, according to the affidavit.
Said Sergeant Rich Rossman from the sheriff's office: "It was one of his goals to visit all 50 states and commit thefts in all 50 states, which he was very proud of - he did succeed."
What makes this even more shocking - are the distances Michael Pollara would go to to carry out his crimes, reported CBS Miami.
"He drove 7,900 miles," Sergeant Rossman said.
"He...drove all the way to North Dakota (another US state) and back - impacting retailers across the country. Michael travelled the entire country doing this. He was a one-man wrecking crew," he added.
Michael Pollara faces 13 counts for grand theft, felony petty theft, dealing in stolen property, criminal conspiracy and organised scheme to defraud, according to court records.
His mother faces six counts for grand theft, petty theft, criminal conspiracy, and organised scheme to defraud, court records show.
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