DATE/TIME: Tuesday, July 30, 2024 / 1:42 pm
INCIDENT: PC 459.5 – Shoplifting
PC 496(b) – Possession of Stolen Property
LOCATION: Target, 19201 Bear Valley Road, Apple Valley
11500 block of Russet Place, Adelanto
SUSPECT(S): Juan Pablo Leal, 40-year-old male of Adelanto
SUMMARY:
On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, employees from Target on Bear Valley Road in the Town of Apple Valley called to report a subject in the store who they believed had stolen property from various Target stores throughout San Bernardino County.
Deputies D. Vallejo and C. Wingard responded to the location and contacted store personnel. The suspect, later identified as Juan Pablo Leal, had left the store. Deputies investigated and learned the subject had also stolen merchandise from the Target store on July 25, 2024. The investigation led to them obtaining a search warrant for the suspect’s home on Russet Place in Adelanto.
On Tuesday, August 6, 2024, deputies served the search warrant on Russet Place. This resulted in deputies recovering over $15,000 of stolen merchandise. Leal had an elaborate process where he would enter the store, cover the barcode on items with a fraudulent barcode which greatly decreased the price he paid for items.
Juan Pablo Leal was arrested for possession of stolen property and transported to High Desert Detention Center, where he was booked in. Leal subsequently posted bail and was released to appear in court at a later date.
Apple Valley Police Department reminds citizens products offered for sale on sites such as Offer Up, Facebook Marketplace and others may be stolen merchandise. These products are often sold at discounted prices and seem appealing. Purchasing on these sites can lead to increased costs in stores as companies attempt to recover losses.
Anyone with any information about this investigation is asked to contact Deputy Vallejo with Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station at (760) 240-7400 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or leave the information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Pamela Hoffman
Station: Apple Valley
Phone No: (760) 240-7428
Case No. 182403700
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
