Duo Out Of Jail, Back To Theft Ring & Re-Arrested: Deputies

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — Two Pacifica residents arrested in August, following a two-month investigation, for allegedly running a San Francisco Bay Area retail-theft ring, were re-arrested Thursday, along with another suspect, after they "returned" to similar crimes when freed from jail on bail, according to authorities.

Rudy Obdulio Rivera, 44, and Mercy Folgar Sandoval, 42, both from Pacifica, along with Dania Rivera, a 20-year-old Pacifica resident, were arrested on Palmcrest Drive in Daly City for suspicion of organized retail theft possession or purchase with knowledge, organizing others to undertake organized retail theft, possession of stolen property and conspiracy, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office said.

Rudy Rivera and Sandoval previously were arrested Aug. 20 at Rivera's Pacifica home on Catalina Avenue following a a two-month investigation into an alleged, organized theft ring that operated in San Mateo County and throughout the Bay Area, according to deputies.

The investigation, conducted by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Crime Suppression Unit was launched after a tip was received regarding the alleged theft ring's operations, deputies said.
During the warrant search, detectives reportedly recovered from the house and vehicles approximately $40,000 in stolen retail merchandise, plus another $30,000 in suspected stolen property, that included 25 laptop computers, numerous handbags and high-end cameras and equipment, the agency said.

After recently posting bail on the multiple, theft-related charges, Rudy Rivera and Sandoval were released from the Maguire Correctional Facility in Redwood City, but detectives continued surveillance operations and allegedly "confirmed that the suspects immediately returned to committing organized retail theft," the department said.

"While observing them, CSU detectives saw Rivera relocate his stash location for the stolen property in an attempt to avoid detection by law enforcement," deputies said.

Detectives surveilling the suspects Thursday spotted a vehicle that Rivera was reportedly using to store and transport stolen property, deputies said. As Rudy Rivera, Sandoval and Dania Rivera, were getting into the vehicle, the trio was arrested, officials said, adding that approximately $20,000 in purportedly, stolen retail merchandise was seized from the car.

Corporate investigators from the victimized retailers are assisting with the investigation and took possession of the presumed stolen merchandise, deputies said.

The two recent investigations, associated with Rudy Rivera and Sandoval, now combine to the seizure of more than $100,000 in stolen merchandise, the department said.

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