Photo: Image of stolen merchandise | All photos courtesy of Ventura Sheriff’s Department
From May 31 to June 2, 2024, the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force conducted what was described by Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Todd Welty as “a blitz operation,” which led to the arrests of 17 adults and 2 juveniles. The law enforcement operation also managed to recover an estimated $5,000 in stolen merchandise, a loaded firearm, a false government ID, burglary tools, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and prescription pills.
The highly-coordinated “blitz operation” involved personnel from the Camarillo Police Department, Thousand Oaks Police Department, Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation, and the Ventura County Community College District Police. It also involved employee staff at several Camarillo Outlets retailers and private security staff.
Los Angeles residents Jorge Pacheco and Rachael Ibarra-Matus were arrested for felony conspiracy to commit shoplifting, with bail set at $20,000 each. Pacheco also faced a felony charge for possessing a false government ID. Clarissa Barraza, Bequer Lopez, Jonathan Reyes, and Jesus Montoya-Ochoa faced charges related to possessing and unlawfully transferring a firearm, controlled substances, stolen property, and shoplifting. Their bail was set at $80,000 each. Carlos Sanchez was charged with organized retail theft and possession of dangerous fireworks, with bail at $40,000. The juveniles were cited for shoplifting and released to responsible adults.
Glendale, Ca. residents Carlos Medina and Christian Mosqueda were charged with conspiracy to commit organized retail theft, with bail set at $20,000 each. Razmik Mushegian, Vahe Sargsyan, and Zhora Hovhannisyan also faced conspiracy charges, with bail set at $20,000 each.
Van Nuys, Ca. residents Alyona Khachatryan and Mikayel Ivanyan faced similar charges, with bail set at $20,000 each. Maickel Dominguez Del Rio was arrested for organized retail theft and possession of burglary tools, posting bail for a court date on August 7, 2024.
Oxnard resident Johnny Gutierrez was charged with possession of a controlled substance, while Jhovani Romano was charged with attempted shoplifting and possession of a controlled substance.
