| Nature of Incident: |
Newly Formed Task Force Arrests Two Suspects for Organized Retail Theft |
| Report Number: |
24-35845 / 24-35792 |
| Location: |
Sunglass Hut – Camarillo Outlets (740 E. Ventura Blvd #508) and Oaks Mall (340 W. Hillcrest Drive) |
| Date & Time: |
03/22/2024 @ 5:31 PM and 8:35 PM |
| Unit(s) Responsible: |
Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force, Thousand Oaks Police Investigations, Camarillo Police Investigations |
| (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence
|
Age |
(S) Flores-Romero, Cesar
(S) Rayeva, Alla
(S) Unknown female |
Sun Valley, Ca.
Studio City
Unknown |
32
37
30s
|
| Narrative: |
A joint effort by the newly formed Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force resulted in the arrest of two alleged thieves believed to be responsible for the theft of several thousand dollars’ worth of sunglasses from two separate stores located in Thousand Oaks and Camarillo.
On Friday, March 22nd, two thefts occurred within hours of each other at two different Sunglass Hut locations in Ventura County. The first theft was reported at the Sunglass Hut located at the Camarillo Premium Outlets. Deputies discovered that three suspects, described as a male and two females, entered the store together during this crime. One of the suspects distracted employees while the other two suspects stole several pairs of high-end sunglasses valued in excess of $1700. After leaving the store, the suspects were seen getting into a vehicle and leaving the area.
About three hours later, the Sunglass Hut located in The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks reported a similar theft. As with the Camarillo incident, one male and two female suspects entered the store. While one suspect distracted employees, the other two suspects concealed numerous pairs of sunglasses valued in excess of $2000 and left the store.
Detectives with the Thousand Oaks and Camarillo Police Departments began investigating each of these thefts and determined the same suspects were responsible. Detectives were able to identify two of the three suspects. Due to the actions of the suspects and the type of items stolen, both cases were referred to the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force.
On March 28th, detectives with the task force located two of the three suspects driving in the city of Camarillo. Patrol deputies initiated a traffic stop and took (S) Cesar Flores-Romero and (S) Alla Rayeva into custody.
A search of their vehicle produced evidence that connected both suspects to these crimes including evidence supporting the possibility of stolen items being sold on the Internet.
Romero and Rayeva were booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura on two felony counts of 490.4(a)(1) P.C. – Organized Retail Theft with each of their bail set at $200,000. Their arraignment has been set for April 3rd, at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 13 of the Ventura County Superior Court.
The Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force was formed after the Sheriff’s Office was awarded grant funding under the California Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program. This program formalizes a coordinated effort, overseen by the Sheriff’s Office, involving all law enforcement agencies in Ventura County to prevent and combat the estimated $10 million yearly loss from organized retail theft, vehicle/vehicle parts theft and cargo theft.
The task force is comprised of detectives from various agencies within Ventura County with the primary mission of combatting organized retail theft, vehicle/vehicle parts theft and cargo theft which impact our businesses, citizens, and communities here in Ventura County. The task force aims to provide a safe environment for everyone while working hand in hand with retailers, law enforcement agencies and the public to identify, locate and arrest the criminals involved in these types of crimes.
|
| Prepared by: |
Sergeant Todd Welty |
|
| News Release Date: |
04/03/2024 |
|
| Media Follow-Up Contact: |
Sergeant Todd Welty 805-947-8104 |
|
Approved by:
Booking Photo Release:
|
Captain Ron Chips
YES NO |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
