Thirty-seven suspects were arrested during a massive retail theft bust in Ventura County.
The two-day blitz operation took place at the Pacific View mall in Ventura from Dec. 6-7, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
Around $2,000 worth of stolen property was discovered by officers, along with burglary tools used in the thefts and various illicit narcotics including fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine.
The suspects were identified as:
- Fredy Velasquez, 18, Santa Paula
- Savanah Hartman, 18, Oxnard
- Sahrayah Hartman, 21, Oxnard
- Jacob Aragon, 22, Camarillo
- Jonathan Zazueta, 26, Oxnard
- Skylar Martin, 26, Ventura
- Ashlee Honsberger, 27, Ventura
- Erika Martinez, 29, Ventura
- Heraclio Lara, 29, Ventura
- William Borchard, 32, Ventura
- Alyona French, 33, Ventura
- Travis Ross, 34, Ojai
- Anthony Romero, 34, Oxnard
- Randy Martinez, 35, Santa Paula
- Andres Fernandez, 35, Oxnard
- Tony Valdez, 37, Ventura
- Richard Munoz, 39, Ventura
- Matthew Raley, 43, Ventura
- Candice Arsenault, 43, Oxnard
- William Martinez, 45, Ventura
- Valentin Lucero, 53, Ventura
- 16 unidentified juveniles
Officers collaborated with loss prevention teams from Target, JCPenney, and Macy’s, along with Allied Security, which provides security services for Pacific View mall.
“This effort highlights the significant shoplifting challenges affecting not only the mall but also businesses across the county,” said the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities released images from a “shoplift with a cop” operation in Ventura County. (Ventura County Sheriff’s Office) 
Authorities released images from a “shoplift with a cop” operation in Ventura County. (Ventura County Sheriff’s Office) 
Authorities released images from a “shoplift with a cop” operation in Ventura County. (Ventura County Sheriff’s Office) 
Authorities released images from a “shoplift with a cop” operation in Ventura County. (Ventura County Sheriff’s Office) 
Authorities released images from a “shoplift with a cop” operation in Ventura County. (Ventura County Sheriff’s Office) 
Authorities released images from a “shoplift with a cop” operation in Ventura County. (Ventura County Sheriff’s Office) 
Authorities released images from a “shoplift with a cop” operation in Ventura County. (Ventura County Sheriff’s Office) 
Authorities released images from a “shoplift with a cop” operation in Ventura County. (Ventura County Sheriff’s Office)
The Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force force is comprised of detectives from various agencies within Ventura County focused on combatting organized retail theft, vehicle/vehicle parts theft and cargo theft.
“The task force aims to provide a safe environment for everyone while working hand in hand with retailers, law enforcement agencies and the public to identify, locate and arrest the criminals involved in these types of crimes,” the sheriff’s department said.
Detectives with the Task Force teamed up with members from the sheriff’s West County Special Enforcement Unit and the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations. They were assisted by officers from the Ventura Police Department and patrol deputies from the Thousand Oaks and Camarillo stations.
Anyone with information on possible theft cases is encouraged to call the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force at 805-383-8703. Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
Retailers that are experiencing significant retail theft and are interested in participating in similar blitz operations can call 805-383-8703.
