Authorities in Ventura County have announced the arrests of 22 suspected retail thieves who are accused of stealing from Target stores in Moorpark and Simi Valley.
The arrests and citations were made as part of a two-day “blitz” operation conducted by the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force in conjunction with the Target Corporation.
A blitz operation involves strategic deployment of law enforcement resources in specific retail locations on specific days with the aim of arresting shoplifters and other retail thieves, officials said.
Members of the theft task force arrested 19 adults and three juveniles during an operation at the Target stores over the weekend of Aug. 23-24.
Officials said an estimated $1,400 in stolen merchandise was recovered, along with methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia.
The following people were cited or arrested as part of the blitz operation:
Cited and released:
Ashley Gallagher, 37, of Moorpark; Emily Crowe, 40, of Simi Valley; Evan Jones, 28, of Simi Valley; Karla Martin, 47, of Simi Valley; Milen Ghazaryan, 30, of Simi Valley; Natalie Owens, 18, of Rialto; and a 14-year-old female juvenile from Simi Valley were all cited for petty theft.
Jeffrey Johnson, 61, of Simi Valley; a 15-year-old female juvenile from Simi Valley; and a 17-year-old female juvenile from Sylmar were all cited for shoplifting.
Yhosmira Gomez-Torres, 28, of Simi Valley, was cited for conspiracy to commit shoplifting and released to care for a small child.
Lynda Gomez, 47, of Moorpark, was cited for shoplifting and possession of a controlled substance.
Benjamin Ward, 44, of Simi Valley, was cited on a misdemeanor warrant.
Arrested:
Michael Blumenthal, 41, of Simi Valley, was arrested for conspiracy to commit organized retail theft and remains in custody. Alyssa Castro, 30, of Simi Valley, and Jenna Haxton, 44, of Simi Valley, were arrested for conspiracy to commit organized retail theft. Castro and Haxton were released after posting bail and were given a court date to return.
Maylson Gomez-Torres, 23, of Simi Valley; Luis Gomez-Oliva, 50, of Simi Valley; and Yorli Lopez-Saenz, 29, of Simi Valley, were all arrested for conspiracy to commit shoplifting. They were booked and later released on their own recognizance.
Ronald Haynes, 38, of Los Angeles, was arrested for conspiracy to obtain money by false pretenses and remains in custody. Brent Walkins, 25, of Los Angeles, was also arrested for conspiracy to obtain money by false pretenses but was released after booking.
Dontell Smith, 33, of Hawthorne, was arrested for shoplifting and a misdemeanor warrant for battery, vandalism and obstructing a business. He was released on his own recognizance.
The Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force is funded through the state’s retail theft prevention grant program. It’s overseen by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office with members from law enforcement agencies throughout the county.
The task force, according to officials, aims to combat retail theft, vehicle and vehicle parts theft, and cargo theft which is estimated to cost local businesses and residents about $10 million each year.
Retailers who have experienced “significant retail theft” can request similar “blitz” operations by calling the task force at 805-383-8703.
Members of the public with tips about organized retail theft are also encouraged to contact the task force by phone or submit an anonymous tip online.