Community
Organized Retail Theft Arrest
On November 8th, 2021, a Grand Theft occurred at Home Depot, located at 575 Cochran St. in the City of Simi Valley. During this theft, approximately $2,000 worth of tools were taken. A vehicle description and license plate were provided. The Patrol Operations Bureau handled the intake of information and completed a detailed report that was forwarded to the Detective Bureau for a follow up investigation.
Over the course of the next few months, while working with Home Depot Organized Retail Crime Investigators, Simi Valley Police Detectives identified (2) Suspects involved in the Organized Retail Theft of numerous Home Depot stores throughout Southern California. The Suspects in these thefts were responsible for approximately 25 thefts, amounting to over $30,000 dollars. These thefts occurred in Ventura, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, and Riverside Counties.
Furthermore, Detectives were able to locate a suspected residence involved in the fencing of this stolen property. The suspect location was in the City of Anaheim and the fence location was in the City of Santa Ana.
On February 22, 2022, Simi Valley Police Detectives, along with members of the CHP Border Division ORCTF (Organized Retail Crime Task Force), conducted simultaneous operations in the cities of Anaheim and Santa Ana. During this operation, Detectives located and arrested Luis Delasancha (29 YOA) from Anaheim for a violation of 182(a)(1) PC/Conspiracy, 490.4(a) PC/Organized Retail Theft, and 487(a) PC/Grand Theft.
The search at Delasancha’s residence yielded a small amount of suspected stolen tools along with some suspected narcotics. The search at the fence location resulted in Detectives locating over 3,700 suspected stolen items with an approximate value of $341,000. A male, later identified as Prudencio Avelar-Lemus (45 YOA) from Santa Ana was arrested at the fence location for 182(a)(1) PC/Conspiracy, 490.4(a) PC/Organized Retail Theft, and 487(a) PC/Grand Theft.
Both Delasancha and Avelar-Lemus were booked into Ventura County Main Jail. Delasancha’s brother, Jose Delasancha while not a threat to the public, is still outstanding and wanted in connection with the above mentioned crimes.
Detective Sergeant Patrick Zayicek
Detective Bureau/Property Crimes
Media Contact: (805) 583-6209
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Address/Location
Simi Valley Police Department
3901 Alamo St
Simi Valley, CA 93063
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-583-6950