Updated with photos added - ORT Blitz Operation 

September 4, 2024 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that 19 adults and 3 juveniles were arrested in a blitz operation conducted by the recently formed Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force over the weekend of August 23^rd and 24^th.  An estimated $1,400 in stolen merchandise was recovered along with methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia.

A blitz operation involves the strategic concentration of law enforcement resources and personnel on specific retail locations focused specifically on combatting theft. This two-day initiative was a collaborative effort between law enforcement and Target Corporation.

Detectives from the Task Force worked with detectives from the Simi Valley Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Moorpark Detective Bureau, the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations and assisted by patrol deputies and officers from the Moorpark and Thousand Oaks stations, Simi Valley Police Department along with an officer with the Ventura County Community College District Police Department.

Gallagher, Milen, Crowe, Jones, Martin and Owens were cited and released for 484(a) PC – Petty Theft along with a 14-year-old female juvenile.

Johnson, a 15-year-old female juvenile and a 17-year-old female juvenile were cited and released for 459.5(a) PC – Shoplifting.

Smith was arrested for shoplifting as well as a misdemeanor warrant for battery, vandalism and obstructing a business.  Smith was released on his own recognizance with a court date on 10/25/24.

Maylson Gomez-Torres, Yhosmira Gomez-Torres, Gomez-Olivia and Lopez-Saenz were arrested for 182(a)(1) PC / 459.5(a) PC – Conspiracy to commit a shoplift.  Yhosmira was cited and released for the violation to take care of a small child that was with the group.  Maylson, Gomez-Olivia and Lopez-Saenz were booked into the Main Jail on $20,000 bail and later released on their own recognizance.  All are due back in court on 9/6/24.

Lynda Gomez was cited and released for 459.5(a) PC – Shoplifting and 11377 HS – Possession of a controlled substance.

Haynes and Walkins were arrested after they conducted a fraudulent return at both the Tierra Rejada location as well as the Cochran location.  They both were booked for 182(a)(1) PC / 532 PC – Conspiracy to obtain money from false pretenses on $20,000 bail.  Walkins was released while Haynes remains in custody with a court date of 9/6/24.

Ward was cited and released on a misdemeanor warrant.

Blumenthal, Castro and Haxton were arrested and booked for 182(a)(1) PC and 490.4(a)(1) PC – Conspiracy to commit organized retail theft.  Blumenthal remains in custody with a court date of 9/6/24.  Castro and Haxton posted bail and are due to return to court on 9/9/24.

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