May 4, 2024 - Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report the newly formed Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force recently concluded an investigation with the arrest of Rene Lobos, a resident of Lawndale, who is suspected of acting as a member of an organized retail theft crew that focused specifically on Target stores in Ventura County. In a single incident, Lobos and an additional accomplice stole approximately $1,000 in merchandise. 

On April 29^th, task force detectives located Lobos in the city of Ventura and took him into custody on a felony charge of organized retail theft. Detectives are still working to locate and arrest additional co-conspirators in this investigation. Lobos was booked into the Sheriff’s Pre-Trial Detention Facility in lieu of $70,000 bail.  Lobos is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on 05/10/24, at 1:30 p.m., in courtroom 11.

The Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force was formed after the Sheriff’s Office was awarded grant funding under the California Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program. This program formalizes a coordinated effort, overseen by the Sheriff’s Office, involving all law enforcement agencies in Ventura County to prevent and combat the estimated $10 million yearly loss from organized retail theft, vehicle/vehicle parts theft and cargo theft. 

The task force is comprised of detectives from various agencies within Ventura County with the primary mission of combatting organized retail theft, vehicle/vehicle parts theft and cargo theft which impact our businesses, citizens, and communities here in Ventura County. 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.

Persons with information regarding organized retail theft, vehicle/vehicle parts theft or cargo theft are encouraged to call the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force’s recorded line at (805) 383-8703 or by calling the Crime Stoppers Tip Line (800) 222-TIPS (8477).  You can remain anonymous when calling either number.

Nature of Incident:	Newly Formed Task Force Arrests Retail Theft Suspect
	Report Number:	24-40864
	Location:	500 block South Mills Road, Ventura
	Date & Time:	04/29/24 @ 01:00PM
	Unit(s) Responsible:	Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force
	(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent			City of Residence
	(S) Lobos, Rene			Lawndale

Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Office