Arrest Made In Organized Bay Area Retail Theft Ring: CHP

BAY AREA, CA — An East Bay man was arrested in connection with an organized Bay Area retail theft ring and investigators with the California Highway Patrol recovered more than $700,000 in stolen merchandise, the CHP said Wednesday.

Investigators assigned to CHP Golden Gate Division’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force —ORCTF — executed search warrants in Pittsburg and found merchandise believed stolen from CVS Health, Target, RiteAid, Safeway, Sunglass Hut, Macy’s, Total Wine and More, Lululemon, and several other retailers, the CHP said in a news release.

"The suspect, Julio Cuellar, 45, of Pittsburg, was arrested and booked into Solano County Jail on several charges, including organized retail theft and conspiracy," the CHP said.

While searching a Pittsburg residence, investigators learned Cuellar leased several storage units at a nearby storage facility so they secured a second search warrant for the storage units and found additional stolen retail merchandise, according to the CHP.

CHP investigators linked the stolen items to thefts throughout California, with a confirmed total value of $715,000.

Golden Gate Division Chief Chris Costigan commended the hard work and dedication of the CHP Organized Retail Theft Task Force.

"The task force, in collaboration with the retail industry and our allied agency partners, is identifying these organized rings and making our communities safer," Costigan said.