IRVINE, Calif. — On Monday, Irvine Police officers patrolling the Irvine Spectrum parking lot noticed a suspicious van with expired out-of-state license plates. The van’s occupants entered several stores, drawing the attention of IPD’s Spectrum Security partners.
A loss prevention officer observed the suspects stealing items and alerted police. Officers stopped the suspects as they attempted to leave and searched the van, discovering over $4,000 worth of stolen merchandise from Lululemon, Sephora, Victoria’s Secret, and Ralph Lauren.
Three suspects were arrested: Dayana Rosa Hernandez, 55, Luz Dary Soto, 52, both from Los Angeles, and Michel Rivera Taborda, 20, of Anaheim. All were booked at Orange County Jail on charges of organized retail theft.
Under California’s 2025 laws, organized retail theft is a permanent felony under Penal Code 490.4, applying when two or more people work together to steal merchandise. Prosecutors can combine stolen goods’ value from multiple stores or incidents to meet the $950 felony threshold—this case’s value exceeded $4,000.
Possession of stolen goods with intent to sell or return is also a felony, regardless of whether the suspects knew the goods were stolen. Courts may issue restraining orders barring convicted individuals from entering affected stores for up to two years.
Probation for petty theft can now last up to two years, with sentencing enhancements based on the value of stolen goods. Felony organized retail theft can result in up to three years in jail per offense, with additional time if tools or methods were used to bypass security systems.
The investigation remains ongoing.
