15 Were Caught in a Big Retail Theft Bust in Southern California

A big retail theft bust in Ventura County led to the arrest of fifteen offenders.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said that the multi-day blitz occurred in the Camarillo Premium Outlets from October 4 to 6.

Deputies discovered over $23,000 in stolen stuff, including a stolen vehicle, around 90 grams of methamphetamine, and other burglary equipment.

Throughout the operation, deputies were involved in two different car pursuits.

The suspects were identified as:

Gonzalo Fernandez, twenty, of Watsonville

Andres Flores, 21, from Watsonville

Derell Jones, 23, from Long Beach

Bayron Gabriel Rivera Florez, 23, from Los Angeles

Gerson Sanchez, 25, from Los Angeles

Martin Munoz, 30, from Oxnard

Teresa Raya, 30, from Oxnard

Leando Quinton Willis, 30, from Gardena

Dajuan Maurice Butler, 31, from Los Angeles

Qwana Crystal Moore, 35, from Los Angeles.

Keisa Rene Scott Lyn, 42, from Carson

Lerin Davron Smallwood, 44, from Carson

Carolina Valverde, sixty, of Van Nuys

Zuelma Rodriguez, 64, from Oxnard

Porter Ranch’s male juvenile, 17

Derrell Jones and Dajuan Butler were implicated in the first vehicle pursuit, which followed suspected thefts at Camarillo Target and Walmart stores. The suspects, driving a Ford Mustang, led deputies on a perilous pursuit. Patrol forces boxed in their vehicle at one point, but the suspects rammed the patrol cars and fled.

The high-speed chase came to an end after the suspects lost a rear tire. Inside the Mustang, deputies discovered around $7,000 worth of stolen products from several retail businesses. They also discovered 90 grams of methamphetamine.

The second pursuit concerned Carolina Valverde, who was allegedly witnessed stealing from a Nike store at the Camarillo Outlets. Deputies eventually discovered her automobile on the 101 Freeway, but she refused to stop, prompting a pursuit.

She eventually collided with a chain-link fence at a California Highway Patrol weigh station. She proceeded to drive wildly around the parking lot until patrol cars boxed her in and halted the chase. According to investigators, approximately $7,000 worth of stolen stuff was discovered inside her automobile.

The remaining suspects were arrested on a variety of charges, including conspiracy to commit organized retail theft, possession of stolen property, grand theft, outstanding warrants, resisting arrest, vehicle theft, receiving stolen property, shoplifting, being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and more.

“This two-day event was a collaboration between law enforcement, outlet retailers and the outlet’s security personnel,” law enforcement officials stated.

The Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force consists of detectives from numerous agencies in Ventura County who are dedicated to combating organized retail theft, vehicle/vehicle parts theft, and cargo theft.

“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,” officials explained.

Anyone with information about probable thefts is invited to contact the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force at 805-383-8703. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

Retailers experiencing substantial retail theft and interested in engaging in similar blitz operations can contact 805-383-8703.