Seal Beach Investigators Crack High-End Shoplifting Ring, Police Allege

Two women and a man -- all Los Angeles residents -- were in custody in Seal Beach today on suspicion of stealing more than $58,000 of cosmetics from drug stores throughout Southern California.

The suspects were arrested by Seal Beach police detectives Aug. 1 and later booked for the crimes, Sgt Philip Gonshak said. He said the three had been stealing cosmetics from CVS pharmacies in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Bernardino and Orange Counties since June 2013.

Gonshak identified the suspects as Los Angeles residents Maria Rosa Sarmiento, 36, Teresa Hernandez, 29, and Miguel Angel Contreras, 35. Sarmiento faces nine counts of burglary, Hernandez seven counts and Contreras, three.

Sarmiento and Contreras were being held without bail and due to appear in court in Westminster next Wednesday, according to jail records. No information on Hernandez’ status was immediately available.

The suspects may face charges in other counties, Gonshak said.

City News Service