SAN JOSE, Calif. — Authorities have dismantled a large-scale organized retail theft ring that targeted T.J. Maxx stores across California, leading to eight arrests in San Jose and the recovery of more than $380,000 in stolen merchandise, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s retail theft task force, working alongside the District Attorney’s Office, Gilroy Police, and Mountain View Police, executed warrants at four residences and a storage unit on August 12, resulting in the arrests. Several suspects remain at large.
The investigation began in May 2025, after T.J. Maxx investigators alerted law enforcement to a crew committing thefts multiple times a day at locations across the Bay Area. The stolen items were believed to be resold at San Jose flea markets.
Over the course of several months, detectives tracked the suspects and linked them to at least 80 thefts, totaling $53,000 in direct store losses and significantly more in recovered merchandise.
Bay Area T.J. Maxx Stores Targeted:
Castro Valley
Colma
Daly City
Dublin
Foster City
Livermore
Redwood City
San Carlos
San Leandro
San Mateo
San Ramon
Other California Cities Hit:
Citrus Heights (Sacramento County)
Tracy (San Joaquin County)
Ontario & Rancho Cucamonga (San Bernardino County)
Arrests and Seizures:
Dobern Avenue, East San Jose:
Christian Hernandez, 20
Esmeralda Hernandez Guzman, 44
Jazmine Sanchez Valencia, 23
Seized: Over $225,000 in stolen goods and illegal narcotics
Giannotta Way, East San Jose:
Maria Sanchez, 66
Seized: Over $100,000 in merchandise and narcotics
Other Arrested Suspects:
Jose Guzman, 32
Derek Montes Rios, 19
Stephanie Juarez Polvos, 29
Rigoberto Hernandez Guzman, 36
All suspects face charges including:
Organized retail theft
Conspiracy
Grand theft
Receiving stolen property
Suspects Still At Large:
Juan Molas, 41
Kevin Calderon, 19
Jacobo Giron, 26
Plus five unidentified individuals
Investigators noted that some suspects are family members, including cousins, further underscoring the organized nature of the criminal network.
“This bust is a major step forward in dismantling organized retail theft in our region,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “We will continue to pursue the remaining suspects and hold everyone involved accountable.”
