Suspected Stolen Clothing Seized From Store; 2 Held
Police Wednesday arrested two Northridge men and seized designer clothes valued at up to $1 million from Virgil’s Fashion in Reseda.
The garments, including items by Ann Taylor, Giorgio Armani, Donna Karan and Tommy Hilfiger, are believed to have been stolen by a shoplifting ring and resold to the store’s operators, said Det. Gilbert Escontrias of the Los Angeles Police Department.
Store owner Virgilio Munoz, 33, and his father-in-law, Efrain Martinez, 55, were arrested at their Northridge home on suspicion of receiving stolen property, police said.
Escontrias said both men were armed with automatic pistols when arrested.
“This is a major problem in the Southern California area,” Escontrias said. “We are working with the retail people here to identify their property. They are very anxious to get it back.”
Detectives said Virgil’s Fashion, at 17269 Vanowen St., sold clothes at 60% to 90% off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.
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