Rochester man pleads guilty after selling over $445,964 in stolen goods

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Rochester man has pleaded guilty for his role in selling more than $445,964 worth of stolen goods.

The scheme involved buying stolen items from “serial shoplifters” and reselling them from a Rochester pawn shop in November, 2023.

Mark Remein, 42, was operating West Ridge Connections, a secondhand pawn shop on West Ridge Road with his co-defendant Derek Verna when the two had allegedly repeatedly bought goods that they knew were shoplifted from Rochester area retail stores between January 2020 and November 2023.

Remein would pay individuals stealing the goods while informing them about products that were deemed most valuable. Those individuals, called “boosters”, would bring the stolen items to West Ridge Connections, where they would be sold on eBay for a fraction of the true retail value.

After eBay accounts were frequently shut down due to suspicious activity, Remein would constantly create new accounts for use.

Remein has plead guilty to conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Sentencing is scheduled February 4, 2025.

Charges are still pending against Verna.

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