19 arrested in retail theft operation at popular outlet mall

Nineteen people were arrested by Ventura County law enforcement as part of an operation to crack down on retail thefts at Camarillo Premium Outlets.

The “Blitz” operation involved a large force of officers assigned to the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force, who inundated the popular outlet mall looking for shoplifters and retail thieves.

The law enforcement campaign took place over three days beginning on May 31, and resulted in the arrests of 17 adults, two juveniles and the recovery of about $5,000 in stolen merchandise. Additionally, officers recovered a loaded firearm, a “falsed government ID,” burglary tools, methamphetamine, fentanyl and prescription pills.

The outlet mall’s security team assisted in the operation, as well as detectives assigned to different sheriff’s stations across Ventura County.

The 19 arrests are as follows:

• Jorge Pacheco of Los Angeles: Charged with felony conspiracy to commit shoplifting and possession of a false government identification card. Bail was set at $20,000.
• Rachael Ibarra-Matus of Los Angeles: Charged with felony conspiracy to commit shoplifting. Bail was set at $20,000.
• Clarissa Barraza of Los Angeles: Charged with felony possession and unlawful transfer of an operable firearm, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of stolen property, and shoplifting. Bail was set at $80,000.
• Bequer Lopez of Los Angeles: Charged with felony possession and unlawful transfer of an operable firearm, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of stolen property, and shoplifting. Bail was set at $80,000.
• Jonathan Reyes of Los Angeles: Charged with felony possession and unlawful transfer of an operable firearm, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of stolen property, and shoplifting. Bail was set at $80,000.
• Jesus Montoya-Ochoa of Pacoima: Charged with felony possession and unlawful transfer of an operable firearm, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of stolen property, and shoplifting. Bail was set at $80,000.
• Carlos Sanchez of Oxnard: Charged with felony organized retail theft and possession of dangerous fireworks. Bail was set at $40,000.
• Carlos Medina of Los Angeles: Charged with felony conspiracy to commit organized retail theft. Bail was set at $20,000.
• Christian Mosqueda of Los Angeles: Charged with felony conspiracy to commit organized retail theft. Bail was set at $20,000.
• Maickel Dominguez Del Rio of Los Angeles: Charged with felony organized retail theft and possession of burglary tools. Bail was set at $20,000 with a court date set for Aug. 7.
• Razmik Mushegian of Glendale: Charged with felony conspiracy to commit organized retail theft. Bail was set at $20,000.
• Vahe Sargsyan of Glendale: Charged with felony conspiracy to commit organized retail theft. Bail was set at $20,000.
• Zhora Hovhannisyan of Glendale: Charged with felony conspiracy to commit organized retail theft. Bail was set at $20,000.
• Alyona Khachatryan of Van Nuys: Charged with felony conspiracy to commit organized retail theft. Bail was set at $20,000.
• Mikayel Ivanyan of Van Nuys: Charged with felony conspiracy to commit organized retail theft. Bail was set at $20,000.
• Johnny Gutierrez of Oxnard: Charged with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance. He was released after posting $7,500 bail and is due in court on Aug. 7.
• Jhovani Romano of Oxnard: Charged with misdemeanor attempted shoplifting and possession of a controlled substance. He pleaded no contest and was found guilty in court.
• Two male juveniles of Los Angeles: Charged with shoplifting and released to a responsible adult.

The Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force is funded through the state’s retail theft prevention grant program. It’s overseen by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office with members from law enforcement agencies throughout the county.

The task force, according to officials, aims to combat retail theft, vehicle and vehicle parts theft, and cargo theft that is estimated to cost local businesses and residents about $10 million each year.

Retailers who have experienced “significant retail theft” can request similar “Blitz” operations by calling the task force at 805-383-8703.

Members of the public with tips about organized retail theft are also encouraged to contact the task force by phone or submit an anonymous tip online .

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