Community
Media Release: Operation “Cut and Run” - Organized Retail Theft Task Force arrests Los Angeles County residents after Catalytic Converter
| Nature of Incident: | Operation “Cut and Run” - Organized Retail Theft Task Force arrests Los Angeles County residents after Catalytic Converter Theft Spree | |||||
| Report Number: | 26-39144 | |||||
| Location: | Multiple Cities Within Ventura County | |||||
| Date & Time: | Multiple Dates and Times | |||||
| Unit(s) Responsible: | Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force, Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force, Oxnard PD, Ventura PD, Simi Valley PD, Ventura County DA Investigators and Baldwin Park PD | |||||
| (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence |
Age | ||||
| Guerrero, Bryan Ramos, Kevin Espinoza, Angel Barillas, Nestor Guillen-Cardona, Maynor Ramirez, Andrew Florez, Efran Monterroso, Yorvin Guzman, Isaiah Juarez-Echeveria, Erwin Francisco |
Los Angeles Los Angeles Los Angeles Los Angeles Los Angeles Los Angeles Los Angeles Los Angeles Los Angeles Los Angeles |
19 22 22 21 20 23 20 20 20 40 |
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| Narrative: |
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| Los Angeles County residents suspected of Catalytic Converter Thefts in Ventura County were arrested during Operation “Cut and Run”. During the months of April through August 2026, Ventura County residents in multiple cities experienced a rash of catalytic converter thefts from their vehicles. During this investigation by the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force, several Los Angeles County residents were identified as suspects in these thefts. These suspects routinely traveled into Ventura County and targeted vehicles for the catalytic converter thefts. Overall, numerous residential search warrants were served, and stolen property was located at those locations. In total, 10 suspects were arrested for their roles in the organized thefts of catalytic converters in Ventura County. The following suspects were arrested and charged: Bryan Guerrero was charged by the District Attorney’s Office with 487(a)PC – Grand Theft, 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy to commit a crime, 245(c)PC – Assault Upon Police Officer, and 496(a)PC – Receiving Stolen Property. Bryan Guerrero is currently in custody at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura. Kevin Ramos was charged by the District Attorney’s Office with 487(a)PC – Grand Theft, 496(a)PC – Receiving Stolen Property, 182(a)(1)PC – Conspiracy to Commit Crime, and 466PC- Possession of Burglary Tools. Kevin Ramos is currently in custody at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura. Angel Espinoza was charged by the District Attorney’s Office with 487(a)PC – Grand Theft, 496(a)PC – Receiving Stolen Property, 466 PC – Possession of Burglary Tools and 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy to Commit a Crime. Angel Espinoza is currently out of custody after posting Bail of $100,000.00. Nestor Barrilas was charged by the District Attorney’s Office with 487(a)PC – Grand Theft with Special Allegations. Nestor Barillas is currently in custody at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura. Maynor Guillen-Cardona was charged by the District Attorney’s Office with 487(a)PC – Grand Theft and 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy to commit a crime. Maynor Guillen-Cardona is currently out on $50,000 bail after the initial $500,000 bail was reduced. Andrew Ramirez was charged by the District Attorney’s Office with 487(a)PC – Grand Theft and 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy to commit a crime. Andrew Ramirez is currently out on $100,000 bail after the initial $500,000 bail was reduced. Efran Florez was charged by the District Attorney’s Office with 487(a)PC – Grand Theft and 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy to commit a crime. Efran Florez is currently out on $75,000 bail after the initial $500,000 bail was reduced. Yorvin Monterroso was charged by the District Attorney’s Office with 487(a)PC – Grand Theft and 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy to commit a crime. Yorvin Monterroso is currently out on Supervised Release after the initial $500,000 bail hearing was vacated Isaiah Guzman was charged by the District Attorney’s Office with 487(a)PC – Grand Theft and 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy to commit a crime. Isaiah Guzman is currently out on $50,000 bail after the initial $500,000 bail was reduced. Erwin Francisco Juarez Echeveria was charged by the District Attorney’s Office with 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy to Commit Crime and 496(a)PC – Receiving Stolen Property. Juarez Echeveria is currently in currently in custody at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura. 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 on 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. People 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. Additional information can be found on the Task Force’s website at www.theftcrackdownvc.org. Tips can also be sent to the website as well. |
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| Prepared by: | Sergeant Baltazar Tapia | |||||
| News Release Date: | 09-30-26 | |||||
| Media Follow-Up Contact: | Sergeant Baltazar Tapia 805-890-0824 [email protected] |
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| Approved by: Booking Photo Release: |
Captain Matt Young YES NO X |
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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