Holiday Retail Theft Operations Result in Arrests of Repeat Offenders in Modesto
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MODESTO, CA
“On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, Property Crimes Detectives conducted Holiday Retail Theft Operations, swiftly apprehending repeat theft offenders and booking them for felony violations under California Penal Code 666.1. Proposition 36 brought significant changes to the penal code, introducing 666.1 PC, which classifies petty theft or shoplifting as a felony if the individual has two or more specified prior convictions. These convictions can include crimes such as petty theft, grand theft, and vehicle theft.
During Wednesday’s operation, Detectives and Officers arrested eight individuals for retail theft. Of these, five were charged under the 666.1 PC statute as repeat offenders. The individuals arrested for 666.1 PC violations were:
• Susana Uriostegui, 27, of Sanger, CA
• Jolena Hernandez, 37, of Selma, CA
• Leah Voelkel, 43, of Modesto, CA
• Kenneth Galvan, 37, of Modesto, CA
• Lance Mitchell, 40, of Turlock, CA
All suspects were booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center for these and other violations. The combined value of the property stolen by these five suspects exceeded $3,000.
Sgt. Mike Hicks, who supervises the Property Crimes Unit, stated:
“It is clear that with the overwhelming passage of Proposition 36, California voters are tired of being victimized and want repeat offenders held accountable. This law takes our mantra of ‘Not in Modesto’ statewide, making it ‘Not in California.’”
Holiday Retail Theft Operations will continue through the end of the year, supported by grant funding from the State of California’s Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).”
