Blitz operation by Task Force “Sacks” 19 individuals for a variety of charges 

June 12, 2024 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that seventeen adults and two juveniles were arrested in a Blitz operation conducted by the recently formed Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force during a recent weekend.  An estimated $5,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered along with a loaded firearm, a false government identification card, burglary tools, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and prescription pills.

A Blitz operation is a saturation of resources and law enforcement personnel concentrated on one or more retail establishments to combat retail theft.  The three-day event was a collaboration between law enforcement, Camarillo Outlets retailers and the Outlet’s security personnel.

Detectives from the Task Force worked alongside personnel from the Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit, Camarillo detectives, Moorpark detectives, the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations and were assisted by patrol deputies from the Camarillo and Thousand Oaks stations along with an officer with the Ventura County Community College District Police Department.

Pacheco and Ibarra-Matus were both arrested and booked on felony charges of conspiracy to commit shoplifting.  Their bail was set at $20,000.  Pacheco was additionally arrested on a felony charge of possession of a false government identification card.

Barraza, Lopez, Reyes, and Montoya-Ochoa were all arrested on felony charges related to the possession and unlawful transfer of an operable firearm which was found in their vehicle, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of stolen property, and shoplifting. All three were booked into jail with a bail set at $80,000.

Sanchez was arrested on a felony charge of organized retail theft and possession of dangerous fireworks.  Sanchez’s bail was set at $40,000.

Both juveniles were cited for shoplifting and released to a responsible adult.

Medina and Mosqueda were both arrested on felony charges of conspiracy to commit organized retail theft.  They were booked into jail with a bail set at $20,000.

Mushegian, Sargsyan, and Hovhannisyan were all arrested and booked on charges of conspiracy to commit organized retail theft.  Bail was set at $20,000 for all three.

Khachatryan and Ivanyan were both arrested and booked on charges of conspiracy to commit organized retail theft.  Bail was set at $20,000 for both.

Dominguez Del Rio was arrested and booked on a felony charge of organized retail theft and possession of burglary tools.  Dominguez Del Rio was found with a magnet and a device that removes security tags from merchandise.  Dominguez Del Rio posted cash bail and has a court date of 8/7/24.

Gutierrez was arrested and booked for a misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance.  Gutierrez posted $7,500 bail and was released.  He is due in court on 8/7/24.

Romano was arrested and booked for misdemeanor charges of attempted shoplifting and possession of a controlled substance.  Romano has since pleaded no contest in the case and was found guilty by the court.

The task force welcomes retailers who are experiencing significant retail theft and want to participate in similar Blitz operations to call their main line at (805) 383-8703.

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.

Source & photos: Ventura County Sheriff's Office