Community
Organized Retail Theft Task Force Arrests Anaheim Residents After Theft Spree
| Nature of Incident: | Organized Retail Theft Task Force Arrests Anaheim Residents After Theft Spree | |||||
| Report Number: | 24-43266 | |||||
| Location: | Ross Dress for Less – Various stores in Ventura County | |||||
| Date & Time: | 4-9-24 / 1516 | |||||
| Unit(s) Responsible: | Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force / Camarillo Police / Ross Dress for Less Loss Prevention | |||||
| (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence |
Age | ||||
| Arellano, Eduardo Mejorada, Alexandri Arellano, Gustavo |
Anaheim Anaheim Anaheim |
25 23 47 |
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Narrative: |
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Three Anaheim residents suspected of stealing from several Ventura County Ross Dress for Less stores were arrested on various charges. On 4-9-24, patrol deputies from the Camarillo station responded to a “theft in progress” at the Ross Dress for Less located in the 2500 block of Las Posas Road. Ross’ Loss Prevention Manager called to report three suspects who were seen removing security tags and concealing merchandise on their persons. The three suspects were believed to have stolen merchandise from three other Ross Dress for Less stores in Ventura County. A quick and coordinated response by deputies resulted in the arrest of Eduardo Arellano and his brother, Alexandri Mejorada, soon after they exited the store. Deputies found several hundred dollars’ worth of stolen clothes, shoes and accessories in their possession. A device used to defeat store security tags was found in one of Eduardo’s pants pockets. The third suspect was not immediately located after a search of the area. Ross employees estimated the three suspects were responsible for the theft of approximately $3,000 worth of merchandise from all four Ross stores. Alexandri and Eduardo each were booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura on felony charges related to organized retail theft. They were later released on their own recognizance on 4-11-24. Both were charged by the District Attorney’s Office with one felony count of 490.4(a)(1) PC – Organized Retail Theft. The newly formed Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force followed up on the case and identified Gustavo Arellano as the third outstanding suspect. Gustavo is the father of both Eduardo and Alexandri. On 5-2-24, detectives with the task force located Gustavo near his home in Anaheim and arrested him without incident. Gustavo was transported to the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura where he was booked for felony charges related to 487(a) PC – Grand Theft and 182(a)(1) PC – Conspiracy. Gustavo remains in custody on $150,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on 5-6-24. 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. Persons with information regarding organized retail theft, vehicle/vehicle parts theft or cargo theft are encouraged to call the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force’s recorded line at (805) 383-8703 or by calling the Crime Stoppers Tip Line (800) 222-TIPS (8477). You can remain anonymous when calling either number. |
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| Prepared by: | Sergeant Todd Welty | |||||
| News Release Date: | 5-7-24 | |||||
| Media Follow-Up Contact: | Sergeant Todd Welty 805-947-8104 [email protected] |
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| Approved by: Booking Photo Release: |
Captain Ron Chips YES NO |
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Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511