Three Baltimore men were arrested after authorities say they attempted to steal groceries while working as part of a cleaning crew at a Maryland supermarket.
According to court documents, Victor Ariel Bermudez-Ventura, 33, Enrique Elia Bermudez-Ventura, 31, and Yafred Santos-Jeronimo, 19, were charged with theft of property valued between $100 and $1,500 following an alleged shoplifting incident on March 11, 2026.
Deputies with the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a theft in progress at the Giant Food store around 3:14 a.m.
Store employees told deputies that members of a floor cleaning crew inside the store were suspected of stealing merchandise. Loss prevention staff also reported that the same individuals had previously been involved in a similar incident at another Giant store in July 2025.
According to charging documents, employees directed deputies to the three men standing in the produce section. Investigators say surveillance footage showed the suspects placing grocery items into a trash bag and backpack while inside the store. One suspect allegedly acted as a lookout while another collected the items.
Authorities also reviewed surveillance footage from March 10, which allegedly showed two of the men placing merchandise into a trash can in another aisle.
Store staff later recovered items from a shopping cart containing a trash bag and backpack filled with groceries. The merchandise—valued at about $182.30—included produce such as limes, avocados, cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, and a watermelon, along with packaged items like Doritos and a Coca-Cola.
Officials said most of the items were returned to the store, although some food items had already been opened and consumed.
Investigators allege the three suspects were working together to remove merchandise without paying. All three men were arrested and taken to the Calvert County Detention Center.
Court records show each defendant faces one misdemeanor charge of theft of $100 to under $1,500. They were later released after posting $2,500 unsecured personal bonds.
