“Organized retail crime puts store employees, their customers, and the public at risk.  Investigating and identifying the individuals involved in these rings can take time, but law enforcement is putting forth the resources to concentrate on this effort in order to keep us all safe from harm, in addition to protecting us from higher prices for items to make up for company losses.”

–CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

SAN DIEGO – On May 31, 2024, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that arrests have been made and charges filed against four people allegedly involved in organized retail theft, robbery, burglary, and grand theft carried out at jewelry stores throughout California.

From April 4, 2023, until May 8, 2024, there were robberies, burglaries, and thefts in San Diego, Orange, Riverside, and Kern Counties that resulted in more than $1.5 million in losses to the stores.

This case was investigated by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) who collaborated with San Diego Police Department, Carlsbad Police Department, Escondido Police Department, El Cajon Police Department, National City Police Department, Chula Vista Police Department, Bakersfield Police Department, and Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. DOJ filed multiple felony charges, including organized retail theft, robbery, burglary, and grand theft against the suspects. 

“Organized retail crime has been plaguing our state for far too long,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “It harms businesses, retailers, and consumers – and puts the public at risk. I thank our local law enforcement partners for their work in apprehending the suspects in this case. The California Department of Justice and its partners will continue fighting to keep our communities, businesses, and consumers safe from retail theft and other crimes.”

The suspects allegedly conducted smash-and-grab style thefts by running into shopping mall stores and grabbing high-dollar jewelry before running out. The suspects also allegedly burglarized stores after hours. The merchandise that was stolen was worth approximately $1,542,706.

The criminal complaint can be found here.