3 Arrested on Suspicion of Shoplifting in 3-County Area
Three Los Angeles residents suspected of running a shoplifting ring that hit stores from Santa Barbara to the San Fernando Valley are scheduled to be arraigned today on felony charges, authorities said.
Nelson Aleman, 22, Blanca Torres, 30, and Gilberto Areas, 43, are being held in Ventura County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail each. They face one count each of possession of stolen property, said Ventura County Sheriff’s Det. Mark Criger.
They were arrested about 4:15 p.m. Wednesday after a deputy pulled them over for a traffic violation near Camarillo Premium Outlets and discovered at least $5,000 in stolen merchandise in their car, Criger said.
“There was stuff in duffel bags that came from stores in Santa Barbara, Oxnard and Northridge,” the detective said.
In addition, investigators found merchandise--mostly clothing--from seven stores in the Camarillo outlet center, including Timberland Outlet, Gap Outlet and Nine West, Criger said.
The deputy who stopped the three had been alerted by security officers at the outlet center, who noticed them “acting strangely” before they drove away, Criger said.
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