LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles County sheriff’s investigators recovered nearly $200,000 worth of suspected stolen merchandise and arrested at least six people during a series of operations targeting alleged fencing, organized retail theft and residential burglary activity across the county, authorities said.
The enforcement actions took place over several days and involved investigations in the MacArthur Park area, the City of Commerce and Santa Clarita, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The first operation was carried out Aug. 4 in the 700 blocks of South Serrano Avenue and Alvarado Street, where investigators executed search warrants as part of an organized retail theft investigation.
Authorities said the operation was conducted in coordination with representatives from several major retailers, including Lululemon, Target, Alo, TJ Maxx and Macy’s, who assisted investigators in identifying merchandise.
During execution of the warrants, investigators recovered approximately $39,238.23 in suspected stolen merchandise, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
The recovered products included clothing, kitchenware, cosmetics and personal hygiene products — categories of merchandise that can be resold relatively easily after being stolen from retailers.
Two people identified as Cesar Santiago, 47, and Adriana Santiago, 22, were arrested during the operation and booked on suspicion of organized retail theft and receiving stolen property.
The operation was part of a broader effort by the Sheriff’s Department’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force to target not only people accused of stealing directly from stores, but also suspected fencing operations that receive, store or resell stolen merchandise.
A second operation followed on Aug. 5, when investigators searched a large warehouse in the City of Commerce.
Inside, authorities said they discovered more than $150,000 worth of suspected stolen tooth-whitening products, along with 22 Edifier speakers valued at approximately $3,300.
Combined with the merchandise recovered the previous day, the two searches accounted for nearly $200,000 in goods.
Information reviewed by Street People indicates the investigations were not limited to a single alleged theft crew or location. Instead, the enforcement activity represented several separate investigations being handled by the Sheriff’s Department’s Major Crimes Bureau and Organized Retail Crime Task Force.
Also on Aug. 5, the task force took custody of an 18-year-old man who investigators said was wanted in connection with a series of retail thefts spanning Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties.
Authorities allege the man belongs to a South American theft crew. His identity and specific allegations against him were not included in the information released by investigators.
The series of enforcement actions continued the following day.
On Aug. 6, detectives monitoring a suspected burglary crew in Santa Clarita observed three men allegedly casing a residential neighborhood, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
Investigators said they then saw the suspects deploy a Wi-Fi jammer before committing a residential burglary.
All three men were arrested and booked at the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station on suspicion of burglary.
Authorities did not release their identities or disclose what, if anything, was taken during the alleged residential burglary.
The use of an alleged Wi-Fi jammer adds a separate element to that investigation because wireless home security systems, cameras and other connected devices commonly depend on Wi-Fi networks for communication. Investigators did not release details explaining how the device allegedly operated or whether it successfully disrupted security equipment at the targeted residence.
The operations come as Los Angeles County continues a coordinated effort against organized retail theft and the resale of stolen merchandise.
The Sheriff’s Department’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force was established in September 2023 amid increased attention on coordinated retail thefts, including smash-and-grab robberies and large groups entering stores simultaneously to steal merchandise.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office says it works with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies on retail theft investigations, with specialized prosecutors and investigators assigned to cases ranging from serial shoplifting to larger organized theft enterprises.
That effort includes coordination with regional task forces operated by the Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Police Department, California Highway Patrol and other agencies. Prosecutors have said the strategy is designed to address multiple stages of organized theft operations, including the theft itself and the subsequent movement or resale of stolen goods.
MacArthur Park and surrounding portions of the Westlake area have received particular attention in previous investigations involving suspected fencing operations.
In March 2025, for example, the District Attorney’s Office announced charges in a separate case involving more than $350,000 in merchandise allegedly received at a business near MacArthur Park. That case involved products associated with several major retailers and was part of the county’s continuing focus on locations allegedly used to resell stolen goods.
The current investigations are separate from that earlier prosecution, but demonstrate the continued focus on the area and on suspected markets for stolen merchandise.
“These investigations demonstrate the Major Crimes Bureau’s continued commitment to identifying and disrupting organized theft groups that target businesses, cargo and residential communities throughout Los Angeles County,” Major Crimes Bureau Capt. Calvin Mah said.
Authorities have not announced whether additional arrests are expected in connection with the merchandise recovered in the Aug. 4 and Aug. 5 searches.
Investigators also have not disclosed where all of the merchandise originated, how long the suspected fencing operations may have been active or whether additional warehouses or locations are being investigated.
The arrests represent allegations, and the individuals taken into custody are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The investigations remain ongoing.
