San Diego Trio Arrested In Outlet Mall Retail Theft Sting: Sheriff

CHULA VISTA, CA — Three San Diego County men were arrested in a Cabazon retail theft sting this week near the Desert Hills Premium Outlets and Cabazon Outlets, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department announced.

The two men and one woman, all Chula Vista residents, were linked to a series of thefts at about seven businesses that allegedly netted more than $2,000 in stolen merchandise, according to Sgt. Josh Button.

Arelene Rodriguez, 47, Guillermo Gonzalez, 42, and Juan Ramirez, 44, were booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on suspicion of organized retail theft, conspiracy to commit a crime and multiple counts of theft with prior convictions, according to jail records. All were slated to answer charges on Thursday, and bail information was not immediately available.

Deputies responded to a report of a theft in progress in the 48000 block of Seminole Drive in Cabazon, where suspects were seen leaving a store with about $1,000 worth of stolen merchandise, the department said.

With assistance from the department's Special Enforcement Team and private security personnel, deputies located and detained the three suspects, authorities said.

Investigators later determined the suspects allegedly stole more than $2,000 worth of merchandise from approximately seven businesses, although authorities did not disclose the locations of the businesses involved.

The investigation was continuing, and anyone with information about the case was asked to call the sheriff's Cabazon station at 951-922-7100.