A Westlake business owner, Blanca Escobar, has been charged with multiple felonies for allegedly receiving over $360,000 in merchandise stolen by organized retail theft groups, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.
Escobar, 66, operated a shop on 6th Street near MacArthur Park, where authorities recovered a massive cache of stolen items including cosmetics, clothing, and toiletries. The merchandise is believed to have been stolen from several major retailers such as CVS, Target, Walgreens, Kroger, Ross, TJ Maxx, and Macy’s, according to the DA’s office.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman emphasized the seriousness of the case, saying, “This is an important step toward cleaning up MacArthur Park, a community that has long struggled with crime and safety concerns. Retail theft will not be tolerated under my watch.”
In addition to the stolen retail items, illegal slot machines were discovered on the premises of Escobar’s business, intensifying the charges.
Escobar now faces eight felony counts of receiving stolen property (each involving goods valued over $950) and one misdemeanor for illegal gaming operations. Prosecutors allege her actions showed “planning, sophistication and professionalism.” If convicted, she could face up to 8 years and 6 months in prison.
She is scheduled to be arraigned on May 22.
This case is part of an ongoing crackdown on organized retail theft, which has surged across California. Law enforcement and the DA’s office say they are increasing collaborative efforts to dismantle such networks.
