Ventura County, Calif. – Authorities arrested 37 individuals as part of a major retail theft operation in Ventura County, with suspects ranging from 18 to 53 years old. The operation, conducted on Friday and Saturday at the Pacific View Mall in Ventura, resulted in the arrest of 21 adults and 16 juveniles.
The operation recovered nearly $2,000 in stolen goods, including burglary tools and illegal narcotics such as methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. Law enforcement officials also highlighted the role of organized retail theft in the growing issue, which has severely impacted local businesses.
The arrested suspects have been identified as follows:
William Borchard, 32, Ventura
Alyona French, 33, Ventura
Fredy Velasquez, 18, Santa Paula
Jonathan Zazueta, 24, Oxnard
Randy Martinez, 35, Santa Paula
Skylar Martinez, 26, Ventura
Matthew Raley, 43, Ventura
Anthony Romero, 34, Oxnard
Richard Munoz, 39, Ventura
Travis Ross, 34, Ojai
Andre Fernandez, 35, Oxnard
Candice Arsenault, 43, Oxnard
Ashlee Honsberger, 27, Oxnard
Savannah Hartman, 18, Oxnard
Sahrayah Hartman, 21, Oxnard
Jacob Aragon, 22, Camarillo
Erika Martinez, 29, Ventura
Valentin Lucero, 53, Ventura
Tony Valdez, 37, Ventura
Heraclio Lara, 29, Ventura
William Martinez, 45, Ventura
The operation was coordinated by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and involved collaboration with the Ventura Police Department, Thousand Oaks, and Camarillo patrol deputies.
“This effort highlights the significant shoplifting challenges affecting not only the mall but also businesses across the county,” the sheriff’s department stated in a press release.
The sheriff’s department is urging Ventura County retailers who face similar theft challenges to reach out for participation in future blitz operations. For those with information on organized retail theft, vehicle theft, or cargo theft, tips can be provided through the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 222-TIPS (8477).
