Officers and detectives worked an undercover operation under a Organized Retail Theft grant which resulted in one arrest on Wednesday and about $150,000 in recovered goods, according to the Costa Mesa Police Department.
It all began with an undercover purchase off an advertisement on an online marketplace site. Detectives contacted the seller, who was later identified as Wendell Rios, 35, Costa Mesa, as he sold an officer stolen products and fragrances. They then found that Rios’ vehicle contained approximately $54,000 in stolen property from large retail establishments. He also had counterfeit headphones. Detectives then executed the search warrant at Rios’ residence and found over $100,000 in more stolen high-end products and fragrances, and over $23,000 in cash. It was also discovered that he had more stolen goods in a storage unit in a neighboring city.
The CMPD also thanks the Senior Manager of Organized Retail Crime at Macy’s for his assistance in this investigation and arrest.
“This investigation and arrest is a great example of the Costa Mesa Police Department making effective use of grant funding received from the state to combat organized retail theft,” said Chief Ron Lawrence. “With the grant funds, we have been able to focus more resources on capturing organized retail theft suspects, and with the help of our Orange County District Attorney’s Office, we are able to hold criminals accountable. With Prop 36 going into effect today, repeat offenders of retail theft will now see real consequences for committing theft crimes.”
