Stolen Goods, Including $150K Toothpaste Haul, Recovered In Organized Theft Crackdown: LASD

LOS ANGELES, CA — Six people were arrested and more than $192,000 worth of stolen merchandise was recovered during a series of organized theft investigations across the county last week, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The operations, conducted by detectives with the department's Organized Retail Crime Task Force, targeted suspected retail theft, cargo theft and residential burglary crews operating in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, authorities said.

On Aug. 4, detectives served search warrants in the 700 block of South Serrano Avenue and the 700 block of Alvarado Street in Los Angeles as part of an investigation into the resale of stolen retail merchandise in the MacArthur Park area, according to the sheriff's department.

Detectives arrested Cesar Santiago, 47, and Adriana Santiago, 22, both of Los Angeles.

Working with representatives from Lululemon, Alo, Target, TJ Maxx and Macy's, investigators identified and recovered about $39,238 worth of stolen clothing, kitchenware, cosmetics and personal hygiene products, authorities said.

Both suspects were booked on suspicion of organized retail theft and receiving stolen property. The case is expected to be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration Friday.

The following day, task force detectives and the Inland Empire Cargo Taskforce served a search warrant at a large warehouse in the 2700 block of South Eastern Avenue in Commerce.

Investigators recovered about $150,000 worth of teeth-whitening toothpaste and 22 Edifier speakers valued at $3,300, according to the sheriff's department.

Also on Aug. 5, detectives continued investigating what authorities described as a South American theft group crew suspected in a series of organized retail thefts across Southern California.

Glendale police arrested Luis Grisales Suarez, 18, of Los Angeles, at the Glendale Galleria, according to LASD. Sheriff's detectives took custody of Suarez and booked him at Temple Sheriff's Station on suspicion of organized retail theft and grand theft.

Authorities said Suarez was wanted in connection with several organized retail theft cases. His case is also expected to be presented to prosecutors for filing consideration.

On Aug. 6, detectives conducting surveillance in Santa Clarita followed a suspected residential burglary crew that authorities believe was connected to burglaries in Walnut, Glendale and Baldwin Park.

Detectives said they watched the suspects case a Santa Clarita neighborhood, deploy a Wi-Fi jammer and commit a residential burglary.

Ivan Comas, 30, of North Hollywood; David Oyaga, 38, of Covina; and Edson Orozco-Castillo, 32, of Santa Ana were arrested without incident, according to the sheriff's department.

Investigators recovered a Wi-Fi jammer, false license plates, burglary tools, clothing and gloves, authorities said.

The three men were booked at the Santa Clarita Sheriff's Station on suspicion of burglary. Prosecutors later charged them with burglary and attempted burglary, and the case was filed Monday.

"These investigations demonstrate the Major Crimes Bureau’s continued commitment to identifying and disrupting organized theft groups that target businesses, cargo, and residential communities throughout Los Angeles County,” Major Crimes Bureau Capt. Calvin Mah said in a statement.

LASD formed its Organized Retail Crimes Task Force in September 2023. The task force operates within the department's Major Crimes Bureau and includes teams focused on organized retail crime, cargo theft, burglary and robbery investigations.