Seminole — A Clearwater woman was arrested Thursday evening after Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies said she admitted to stealing thousands of dollars from her employer, Ulta Beauty, over several months.
According to an arrest affidavit, deputies were called to the Ulta store at 7976 113th Street North around 7:14 p.m. regarding an internal theft investigation. Loss prevention staff reported that a seasonal employee had been stealing cash from registers on multiple occasions, resulting in a total loss of $3,485.99 to the company.
Investigators identified the suspect as 20-year-old Rylee Mari Hanson Shanley of Clearwater. Loss prevention staff told deputies they had video documenting 12 separate incidents in which Shanley allegedly removed cash from a register. On the day of the arrest, she was observed taking $60, according to the report.
After being advised of her Miranda rights, Shanley admitted to stealing cash on 12 occasions, taking a facial cream valued at $40.99 on an unknown date, and removing $60 from the register that day, the affidavit states. Deputies reported that Shanley showed them bank records reflecting deposits she said were from stolen cash, including $880 on Dec. 30, 2025, $1,400 on Dec. 31, 2025, and $1,105 on Jan. 13, 2026.
Shanley was arrested and charged with grand theft and scheme to defraud, both third-degree felonies under Florida law.
Her bond was set at $5,000, according to jail records.