Photo: Stock Image
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Organized Retail Theft Task Force (VCORTTF), recently formed following a state funding grant aspiring to put an end to the more than $10 million annual losses suffered by California’s retailers, seems to be succeeding in their efforts on an almost daily basis.
Evidence of that success came on the afternoon of May 22nd when, according to Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Baltazar Tapia, a “theft in progress” alarm went out to the Camarillo Police Dispatch Center reporting “suspects seen placing multiple items in a large tote” at the Camarillo Target Store.
A rapid response to that alarm brought uniformed patrol deputies and detectives attached to VCORTTF to the scene with all due alacrity, just as a getaway vehicle was spotted heading to the nearby northbound U.S. 101 onramp. Moments later the vehicle was brought to a halt and the cops made contact with three Los Angeles residents: 27- year-old Nanyaba Wilson-Tyehhimba, 20-year-old Dion Damani Ford, and 19-year-old Miya Angel Grant.
The immediately ensuing search of their vehicle lead to the discovering of “several thousand dollars worth of stolen alcohol, cosmetics, medication, and hygiene accessories.” Further investigation indicated that the three suspects were responsible for multiple Target Store burglaries and thefts amounting to more than $3500 in value.
All three were transported to Ventura County Jail, where they were booked on charges of felony organized retail theft. They each posted bail and were released from custody with judicial arraignment scheduled for June 6, 2024.
