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published on March 25, 2022 - 12:50 PM
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A suspected organized retail theft ring has been arrested and is facing felony charges for stealing goods across the state — including in Fresno.

Five of the targeted suspects were arrest Monday in Los Angeles, with police saying they recovered about $62,000 in cash and $135,000 in stolen merchandise from retailers including Macy’s, Columbia Sportswear, Abercrombie & Fitch, JC Penney and Lululemon. An additional suspect from the operation was charged Tuesday but remains at large.

Three suspects were charged separately for allegedly possessing more than $17,000 in stolen merchandise.

Of the total of 31 criminal counts filed by the California Department of Justice, two grand thefts were allegedly committed March 19 by four of the defendants in Fresno and Los Angeles counties, with JC Penney losing $4,170 worth of clothing and Macy’s losing $6,825.

The suspects listed on those counts were Diego Soler, Jesus Baron, Edna Rico and Monica Jimenez Moreno.

Along with Leobardo Leony, Elkin Ruiz Rico, Luis Fitzgerald Salcedo, Christian Perez and Juan Escobar Armiento, the group faces felony charges including conspiracy, grand theft, possession of stolen property as well as a special allegation of theft totaling more than $100,000.

The suspects allegedly stole and transported hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of goods, held the items and shipped them internationally. The suspects were charged in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The arrest and charges are the product of a California Highway Patrol investigation that began in 2021.

California and states across the country have seen a pattern of organized retail crime. According to a 2020 national survey, U.S. retailers lose approximately $700,000 per every $1 billion in sales to organized retail crime.

Attorney General Rob Bonta and law enforcement partners have tried to tackle the problem head on, prosecuting another Bay Area theft ring in December 2021. Those pleading guilty received sentences including three years in state prison, to be suspended pending completion of two years’ formal supervised probation and 364 days in jail.

Also in December, Bonta convened retailers and law enforcement to develop strategies to combat organized retail theft.

Bonta said organized theft will not be tolerated in California.

“Today we take another step toward tackling this issue by announcing the arrests and felony charges against individuals alleged to be participants in an organized criminal scheme targeting retailers throughout our state,” he sated.  “I want to thank the California Highway Patrol and our retail partners for their collaboration and help in this investigation. As our state’s chief law enforcement officer, I will continue to aggressively pursue and hold accountable those who participate in organized retail theft.”


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