Retail Theft Blitz Operations Lead to Multiple Arrests 

March 5, 2024 - Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles Police Department officials report that Central Area Burglary detectives announce the arrest of multiple shoplifting suspects during two separate blitz operations that occurred in Downtown Los Angeles.

Retail theft continues to be a major issue in the Downtown Los Angeles area resulting in the daily loss of thousands of dollars. Blitz operations are conducted to address this issue by collaborating with impacted retailers to strategically saturate the problem areas with personnel and resources. A total of fourteen suspects were arrested during these operations.

The blitz operations were conducted on February 29th, 2024, at a retailer located in the 600 block of South Broadway and on March 1st, 2024, at a retailer in the FIG at 7th Plaza in the area of 7th Street and Figueroa Street.

The four suspects arrested on February 29th, 2024, were 38-year-old Mario Moreno, Booking No. 6768175; 19-year-old Kristyanna Banuelos, Booking No. 676821; 35-year-old, Vaneza Quioro, Booking No. 6768297; 23-year-old Amalya Sutton, Booking No. 6768305.

Ten suspects, including three juveniles, were arrested on March 1st, 2024. The suspects arrested were 25-year-old Valeria Vazquez-Zuniga, Booking No. 6768669; 54-year-old Augustus Evans, Booking No. 6768694; 53-year-old, Quincy Davis, Booking No. 6768685; 48-year-old Leila Vavalette, Booking No. 6768717; 53-year-old Edna Ordonez-Escobar, Booking No. 6768731; 32-year-old Alondra Leon, Booking No. 6768744; 38-year-old Darion Moore, Booking No. 6768774.

LAPD theft
LAPD theft 3
Under the Los Angeles County Felony / Misdemeanor Bail Schedule, several of the suspects were eligible for Cite and Release, and others had pending warrants.

Anyone with information about these types of incidents is asked to call the LAPD Central Burglary Theft Detectives at 213-833-3750. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

Source & photos: LAPD