Police Arrest 2 in Alleged Million-Dollar Theft Ring
With the arrests of two men and the recovery of roughly $1 million worth of stolen goods, a “major theft operation” was uncovered in Glendale and in Los Angeles, Glendale police said Wednesday.
The two men and the stolen property--ranging from Sears-brand clothing to trucks that hauled the goods from suppliers to stores--were in police custody early Wednesday morning. Police, however, are seeking more suspects and stolen merchandise, said Sgt. Rick Young of the Glendale Police Department.
“We’re still looking at this operation and still investigating,” he said.
Alejandro Lopez, 20, of Glendale, and Oscar Rubacava, 31, of Bellflower, are scheduled to be arraigned today in Glendale Municipal Court. Each man has been charged with receiving stolen property.
“That charge was filed so that investigators could hold them,” Young said. “More charges are likely to be added by the arraignment.”
Police alleged the pair stole about $500,000 worth of clothing, along with the truck that was hauling it to a Sears, Roebuck & Co. store in Ontario. In addition, the two men are accused of stealing nine other trucks and three cars, as well as the contents of each vehicle, bringing the total value of stolen goods to more than $1 million, Young said.
“One of the places they stashed the stuff, Rubacava’s house in Bellflower, was filled floor-to-ceiling with stolen clothes,” Young said.
The pair is also suspected of stashing stolen vehicles at two vacant warehouses near 88th Street and Alameda Avenue in Los Angeles, Young said.
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