Last Sunday, police fficers investigated shoplifters at Target on Barranca, according to the Irvine Police Department.
Loss prevention watched on camera as two people worked together to conceal items. They were recognized from previous thefts at multiple Target locations throughout Orange County.
- Veronica Rodriguez, 25, of Anaheim, was arrested for burglary.
- Enrique Steven Del Castillo, 30, of West Covina, was arrested for conspiracy
New Year’s resolution – Don’t commit crime in Irvine.
Penalties faced by the suspects
The specific penalties for Veronica Rodriguez and Enrique Steven Del Castillo will depend on whether they are charged with misdemeanors or felonies, which is often determined by the value of the stolen goods and their prior criminal history.
Veronica Rodriguez (Burglary – PC 459)
Because she was arrested for burglary rather than simple shoplifting, she may face harsher “wobbler” penalties:
- Felony Second-Degree Burglary: If charged as a felony, she could face 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Misdemeanor Second-Degree Burglary: If charged as a misdemeanor, the penalty is typically up to 1 year in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
- Prop 36 Impact: Under new laws effective in 2025-2026, repeat offenders with two or more prior theft convictions can be charged with a felony regardless of the dollar amount stolen, potentially carrying a sentence of up to 3 years.
Enrique Steven Del Castillo (Conspiracy – PC 182)
In California, conspiracy to commit a crime is typically punished with the same severity as the underlying crime itself.
- Penalties: If the underlying burglary is treated as a felony, he faces the same 16-month to 3-year prison term.
- Organized Retail Theft: Since they were recognized for thefts at “multiple Target locations,” they may be charged under Organized Retail Theft (PC 490.4), which allows prosecutors to aggregate the value of thefts from different locations to reach felony thresholds.
Additional Consequences
- Probation: Misdemeanor convictions now carry extended probation periods of up to 2 years as of 2025.
- Restitution: Both suspects will likely be ordered to pay full restitution to Target for the retail value of any stolen or damaged items.
- Stay-Away Orders: It is standard practice in Orange County for the court to issue “stay-away” orders, legally banning the suspects from all Target locations.