A 23-year-old Fort Lauderdale woman is accused of turning Palm Beach County retailers into her personal grab-and-go route, with investigators saying four separate store thefts added up to more than $9,100 in merchandise. The cases, which date to late 2025, center on high-end beauty appliances, multiple kitchen fixtures and power tools. The suspect, identified by deputies as Leeanna Plau, was booked into the Palm Beach County jail on Wednesday and remains in custody while investigations and charging decisions continue.
The Cases Investigators Linked To Her
Detectives say they tied Plau to thefts at an Ulta Beauty in Wellington, two Lowe’s locations in Boca Raton and Royal Palm Beach, and a Home Depot in Lantana, as reported by CBS12. The Nov. 11 Ulta incident allegedly involved $1,873.89 in stolen merchandise and a Dyson Airwrap worth $649.99, which authorities say was recovered after it fell to the ground.
Two Lowe’s incidents in early December reportedly centered on multiple Kohler faucets, with values of roughly $3,040 and $3,698. In a Dec. 8 case at a Home Depot in Lantana, investigators say five Milwaukee power tools worth about $495 were taken.
How Authorities Say They Tied The Cases Together
Investigators described the string of incidents as part of an “organized retail theft operation,” according to CBS12. A Florida Department of Corrections probation officer reportedly recognized Plau in surveillance screenshots that had been circulated in a regional law enforcement bulletin.
Deputies say store surveillance video showed suspects bypassing points of sale and loading merchandise into departing vehicles. Plau was booked into the Palm Beach County jail on Wednesday and is facing multiple theft-related counts while prosecutors review the files.
Charges And Legal Context
Authorities told prosecutors the combined value of the alleged thefts exceeds $9,100. Charges tied to the incidents currently include petit theft in the Lantana case, along with grand theft and a scheme-to-defraud count related to the Royal Palm Beach incident.
Under Florida law, theft that meets specified value thresholds can be charged as grand theft, and coordinated retail theft or scheme-to-defraud counts are often prosecuted as third-degree felonies. Those classifications and potential penalties are detailed in the Florida statutes. Any eventual sentence or fines will depend on the formal charges filed, Plau’s prior record and how the state chooses to pursue the case.
How This Fits A Bigger Pattern
Retailers and law enforcement across the country say shoplifting and organized retail crime have grown more complex in recent years. A 2025 study from the National Retail Federation found that retailers reported an increase in shoplifting incidents and a rise in threats or acts of violence tied to theft between 2023 and 2024.
Plau’s case will move through the Palm Beach County court system as prosecutors examine investigative reports and determine formal filings and hearing dates. Court calendars and the county jail roster will show any updates to her case status or custody.
