Blitz operation by task force arrests 15 for a variety of charges 

October 11, 2024 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that fourteen adults and one juvenile were arrested in a weekend-long blitz operation conducted by the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force this past weekend.  An estimated $23,000 in stolen property was recovered along with a stolen vehicle, approximately 90 grams of methamphetamine and several different types of burglary tools.

During the operation, VCORTTF Detectives were also involved in two separate vehicle pursuits involving organized retail theft suspects.

The first vehicle pursuit involved Derrell Jones, a Long Beach resident, and Dajuan Butler of Los Angeles. Camarillo Target's loss prevention team reported a theft after Jones entered the store, filled a bag with cosmetic items, and left without paying. Simultaneously, Butler entered the nearby Walmart Neighborhood Market and took over-the-counter medication, also exiting without paying. Both men were seen by witnesses getting into a yellow Ford Mustang, with Jones behind the wheel, and fleeing the area. Task Force detectives were in the vicinity when the crimes were reported and quickly spotted the Mustang as it left the shopping center. Detectives observed that the vehicle lacked valid license plates, a common tactic used by individuals involved in organized retail theft to avoid identification. The detectives positioned their vehicles to surround the Mustang in an attempt to stop it, but Jones responded by ramming two of the detectives’ vehicles with enough force to push them aside, allowing the Mustang to escape at high speed. A pursuit of the Mustang was initiated and it entered the southbound Highway 101.  Pursuing Sheriff’s units were assisted by a helicopter from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit as it entered the city of Thousand Oaks.  This allowed our units to back off from the Mustang while maintaining visual observation of it from the air. The pursuit continued into Los Angeles County where the California Highway Patrol took over the pursuit and were assisted by a helicopter from the Los Angeles Police Department.

Jones continued driving on multiple southland freeways until the Mustang’s left rear tire tore apart near the intersection of the southbound 110 freeway and the westbound 91 freeway.  Jones stopped the Mustang and the pair surrendered to CHP officers.

A search of the Mustang produced about $7,000 in stolen merchandise from numerous retail stores and 90 grams of methamphetamine.  Both Jones and Butler were transported back to Ventura County and booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility.  Jones’ charges include two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, one felony count of conspiracy to commit organized retail theft, and one felony count of evading in a vehicle.  Butler’s charges included one felony count of conspiracy to commit organized retail theft and one felony count of possession of a controlled substance for sale. Both Jones’ and Butler’s bail was initially set at $250,000.

On 10/8/24, Jones and Butler appeared in Ventura County Superior Court.  Both pleaded not guilty.  Jones’ bail was reduced to $200,000, while Butler’s was reduced to $40,000.  They are both due back in court on 10/17/24 for an early disposition conference.

The second vehicle pursuit involved Carolina Valverde, a resident of Van Nuys.  Valverde was inside of the Nike store at the Camarillo Outlets and concealed several items of apparel.  Valverde walked past open and manned registers and made no attempt to pay for the items she had concealed.  A traffic stop was conducted of Valverde.   When she was ordered out of the vehicle to be arrested, she sped away.  Valverde led deputies on a pursuit along the southbound on US101 Freeway. After reaching the top of the Conejo Grade, Valverde entered the California Highway Patrol weigh station after colliding with the locked chain link fence. Valverde continued driving erratically in the parking lot until the pursuing patrol unit and an unmarked detective vehicle blocked Valverde’s vehicle and were able to place Valverde under arrest. Approximately $7,000 in stolen property was recovered inside the vehicle. Valverde was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility on one count of misdemeanor shoplifting, one felony count of possession of stolen property, one felony count of evading in a vehicle, one felony count of vandalism, one misdemeanor count of possession of burglary tools and one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest.

Valverde appeared in court on 10/8/24.  Valverde’s bail was reduced to $100,000 and she is being held in custody.  Valverde is scheduled to be back in court on 10/17/24 for an early disposition conference.      

Additional arrests made during the blitz operation include the following:

Scott-Lyn was arrested on one felony count of conspiracy to commit organized retail theft and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility.  She posted $20,000 bail and is due back in court on 10/18/24.

Smallwood was arrested and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for one felony count of conspiracy, four felony counts of organized retail theft, one felony count of possession of stolen property and an outstanding warrant from San Bernardino county for grand theft and resisting arrest.  His bail was set at $80,000.  On 10/8/24, Smallwood appeared in court where he pleaded not guilty.  Smallwood’s bail was reduced to $20,000 and he remains in custody with an early disposition conference scheduled for 10/17/24.

Willis was arrested and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility on one felony count of conspiracy and one misdemeanor count of shoplifting.  Willis posted $20,000 bail and was released.  Willis has a pending court date of 10/21/24.

Moore was arrested on one felony count of conspiracy and one misdemeanor count of shoplifting.  She was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility and posted $20,000 bail.  She is due back in court on 10/18/24.

Munoz was arrested and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for one felony count of vehicle theft, one felony count of receiving stolen property (vehicle) and one misdemeanor count of shoplifting.  Munoz was unable to appear in court and his case was continued until 10/9/24.  He remains in custody on $40,000 bail.

Raya was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility.  She was cited and released and is due back in court on 12-11-24.

Flores was arrested and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for one felony count of conspiracy and one misdemeanor count of shoplifting.  Flores posted $40,000 bail and was released with an arraignment date of 10/21/24.

Fernandez was arrested for one felony count of conspiracy and one misdemeanor count of shoplifting and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility.  Fernandez posted $30,000 bail and was released with a pending arraignment date of 10/21/24.

Rivera-Flores was arrested for one felony count of conspiracy and one felony count of possession of stolen property.  He was booked at the East Valley Jail and held on $20,000 bail.  Rivera-Flores appeared in court on 10/8/24 and pled not guilty.  The court released him on his own recognizance.  Rivera-Flores is due back in court on 10/17/24 for an early disposition conference.

Sanchez was arrested and booked at the East Valley Jail on one felony count of conspiracy and one felony count of organized retail theft and held on $20,000 bail.  On 10/8/24, Sanchez appeared in court and pleaded not guilty.  He was released on his own recognizance by the court and is due back on 10/17/24 for an early disposition conference.

Rodriguez was cited and released for one misdemeanor count of shoplifting.  She is due to appear in court on 11/7/24.

A male juvenile was cited for one misdemeanor count of shoplifting and released to a family member.

A blitz operation is a saturation of resources and law enforcement personnel concentrated on multiple retail establishments to combat retail theft.  This two-day event was a collaboration between law enforcement, Outlet retailers and the Outlet’s security personnel.

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