Task Force continues to tackle would be thieves

October 3, 2024 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force continued its “blitz” operations around the county, this time in Newbury Park.  Over a two-day period, the task force teamed up with Loss Prevention / Asset Protection Officers with Home Depot, TJ Maxx and Target to combat retail theft.  The operation was deemed a success with the arrest of 12 adults and 4 juveniles.  Almost $2,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered along with burglary tools and methamphetamine.

BLITZ operations are common strategies deployed by law enforcement to concentrate on specific retail establishment(s) to combat theft by collaborating with Loss Prevention officers.

Detectives with the Task Force worked with other detectives with the Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit, Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit, the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations and were assisted by officers from the Port Hueneme and Ventura County Community College District Police Departments.

The following are details related to the sixteen arrests from this operation:

Soria was arrested on misdemeanor charges of shoplifting and possession of a controlled substance.  He was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility and released with a court date of 11/25/24.

Strunk was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of shoplifting and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility.  He was released on 9/21/24. with a pending court date of 11/25/24.

Vargas and Howard were both arrested on a felony charge of conspiracy to commit organized retail theft.  Vargas was also arrested on a misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance.  Vargas appeared in court on 9/24/24 and was released on his own recognizance.  Howard is being held on $40,000 bail and is due back in court on 10/4/24.

Bastidas was arrested on a felony charge of conspiracy to commit organized retail theft, and misdemeanor charges of shoplifting, possession of burglary tools, and child endangerment.  Bastidas was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility.  A 16-year-old female juvenile who was with Bastidas was also arrested on three counts of shoplifting and one count of conspiracy.  The juvenile was cited and released to a family member.  Bastidas is scheduled to appear back in court on 10/7/24.

Ropes was arrested on misdemeanor charges of shoplifting, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.  He was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility and later released.  Ropes is due back in court on 11/25/24.

Peppler and Sanchez were both arrested on a felony count of conspiracy to commit theft and a misdemeanor charge of shoplifting.  Peppler posted $20,000 bail and has a pending court date of 10/4/24.  Sanchez was arraigned in court on 9/24/24 and was released on his own recognizance.  Sanchez is due back in court on 10/4/24.

Wendorf was arrested on misdemeanor charges of identity theft, shoplifting, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Wendorf appeared in court on 9/24/24 where the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed the above charges as well as a felony burglary charge.  Wendorf pleaded not guilty to all charges and is being held on $60,000 bail.

Reeger was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of being under the influence of a controlled substance.  He was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility and later released.  Reeger is due back in court on 11/26/24 for arraignment.

Lopez was arrested on misdemeanor charges of shoplifting and possession of burglary tools and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility.  He was later released and has a court date of 11/26/24 for arraignment.

Rodriguez was arrested on a felony charge of conspiracy to commit theft and misdemeanor charges of shoplifting and child endangerment.  Rodriguez was booked into the East Valley Jail.  Rodriguez posted $10,000 bail and was released.  Rodriguez has a pending court date of 10/7/24.  A 17-year-old male juvenile who was with Rodriguez was cited and released for conspiracy and shoplifting and released to a parent.

Two other male juveniles were arrested on misdemeanor shoplifting charges and released to a parent.

The Task Force welcomes retailers from throughout the county 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: Ventura County Sheriff's Office