Police officers conducted a massive bust in a retail outlet in California, with more than a dozen people of dramatically varying ages arrested for stealing $23,000 worth of goods.
At a glance:
- Fifteen suspects were arrested in a retail theft bust at Camarillo Premium Outlets in Ventura County from Oct. 4 to 6.
- Deputies recovered around $23,000 in stolen goods, along with a stolen vehicle, methamphetamine, and burglary tools.
- The suspects face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit organized retail theft, possession of stolen property, and resisting arrest.
Fifteen people were arrested following a large-scale retail theft operation at the Camarillo Premium Outlets in Southern California. The multi-day blitz, carried out from Oct. 4 to 6, resulted in the discovery of approximately $23,000 in stolen merchandise, a stolen vehicle, and around 90 grams of methamphetamine.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office coordinated the effort as part of a broader mission to combat organized retail theft. Deputies were involved in two separate vehicle pursuits, both resulting in arrests and the recovery of thousands of dollars’ worth of stolen goods.
In the first pursuit, suspects Derell Jones and Dajuan Butler were chased after being linked to thefts at Target and Walmart stores in Camarillo. Driving a Ford Mustang, the pair attempted to flee, ramming patrol cars during the chase. They were eventually apprehended after losing a rear tire, and deputies found around $7,000 in stolen merchandise and 90 grams of methamphetamine inside the vehicle.
https://x.com/KTLA/status/1845319484787097760
The second pursuit involved suspect Carolina Valverde, who was reportedly seen stealing from a Nike store at the outlets. After refusing to stop for deputies, she led them on a chase that ended when she crashed into a chainlink fence at a California Highway Patrol weigh station. Valverde continued to drive erratically before deputies boxed her vehicle in. Another $7,000 in stolen items was found in her car.
The remaining suspects, ranging in age from 17 to 64, were arrested on a variety of charges, including grand theft, possession of stolen property, and resisting arrest. The Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force, which comprises detectives from various local agencies, carried out the operation in collaboration with outlet retailers and security personnel.
Authorities encourage anyone with information on theft cases to contact the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force, and retailers experiencing significant theft can participate in future operations by contacting local law enforcement.
Go figure this happened in a Blue state.
