Prosecutors in New York say Brendalene Horn stole the clothes from rental websites and sold them for a profit.
FREELAND, Mich. (WJRT) – Federal prosecutors out of New York say a Freeland woman was renting designer clothes, but instead of returning the merchandise, she sold the items.
The woman was arrested at her home Wednesday morning in Freeland without incident.
The prosecutors allege that Brandalene Horn rented more than $800,000 worth of designer clothes and accessories and then made a pretty penny selling the clothes that weren’t hers.
“We had no idea,” says Michele Haynes. “We were just really worried for the sake of the family and hoping everyone was ok.”
That’s what she wondered as she saw the police cars at a Freeland home early Wednesday morning.
She would later learn that her neighbor, 42-year-old Brandalene Horn, was arrested on charges of mail fraud, wire fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property.
She’s accused of defrauding at least three subscription-based clothing rental companies by renting clothes like these, not returning them, and then selling them online herself.
“It’s a shock. She never seemed like that kind of person,” says Haynes. “She always seemed pretty honest.”
The complaint states the alleged activity began in April 2022. When the companies tried to charge Horn for the items she rented and wouldn’t return, she disputed the charges with her credit union or canceled the credit and debit cards she had used.
Horn’s accounts were flagged, but court records indicate she just opened new ones.
Court documents indicate an investigator posed as someone else and purchased an outfit that Horn posted online for sale.
It alleges Horn even used the victim companies’ proprietary photographs and descriptions.
The item was shipped to New York from the post office in Freeland and is believed to be one of the many items stolen by Horn.
She allegedly stole more than 1,000 items, valued at more than $823,000, from the victim companies. She then sold more than $750,000 worth.
Haynes can’t believe the allegations.
“It is very strange. I would have never expected anything like that from her,” says Haynes. “It’s very strange.”
Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York handed down the charges.
Jail records show Horn is currently being held in the Bay County Jail, and it’s not clear if she has an attorney at this point.
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