Over the past several months, the City of Simi Valley has experienced an increase in Grand Thefts involving landscaping equipment. In response, Simi Valley Police Detectives began investigating these incidents using investigative leads and surveillance video provided by community members.
Through the course of the investigation, Detectives utilized FLOCK License Plate Reader (LPR) data and were able to identify a suspect vehicle associated with the thefts. On May 13, 2026, Detectives conducted surveillance in San Bernardino County and identified a second vehicle of interest. This vehicle was subsequently entered into the FLOCK LPR system as an alert vehicle, allowing Detectives to receive notifications if it entered the City of Simi Valley.
On May 14, 2026, at approximately 8:44 a.m., Simi Valley Police Detectives received an alert indicating the suspect vehicle had entered the city. Detectives and Patrol Officers quickly located the vehicle, which was loaded with landscaping equipment, and conducted a traffic stop. During the stop, officers located stolen landscaping equipment inside the vehicle. Investigators later determined the suspects had committed three thefts prior to being stopped by officers.
Fortunately, much of the recovered property was returned to its rightful owners. The investigation remains ongoing as Detectives continue efforts to identify and recover additional stolen property connected to previous thefts.
Arrested: Pedro Mazariego 29 YOA, from Pasadena, Jesus Miron 29 YOA from Baldwin Park, and Juan Miron 31 YOA from Baldwin Park. All three suspects were booked into VCMJ for 487(a) PC/Grand Theft and 182(a)(1) PC/Conspiracy. Mazariego also had a Felony Warrant for a similar offense.
