Authorities in San Jose have arrested three retail theft suspects, earning them the nickname “The TJ Maxx Trio” from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department. The arrests, which took place on February 21, were announced this week on social media by the sheriff’s department.
The suspects were apprehended at the Hillsdale Avenue TJ Maxx store in San Jose, where detectives observed them hiding stolen merchandise. Upon following the suspects to their vehicle, law enforcement found multiple trash bags filled with clothing stolen from both TJ Maxx and Marshalls.
In total, the suspects had allegedly stolen more than $900 worth of items hidden under their clothing at the store. The bags in their van contained nearly $6,000 worth of stolen merchandise. Authorities identified the suspects as 24-year-old Francesca Zarafu, 23-year-old Florin Bambaloi, and 23-year-old Patricia Dumitru, all residents of Vallejo.
The trio had reportedly visited several other TJ Maxx locations in the Bay Area earlier that day, though the exact stores were not disclosed. All three suspects have been booked into the Main Jail and face charges including organized retail theft, grand theft, receiving stolen property, and conspiracy. Zarafu also had an outstanding warrant for retail theft.
The sheriff’s department announced that more blitz operations by their Retail Theft Task Force are planned across Santa Clara County in an effort to curb organized retail crime.
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