Suspects arrested for selling stolen property
On May 21, 2015, the Torrance Police Department Detective Division in conjunction with Ralphs / Kroger Organized Retail Crime Unit culminated a month-long investigation of stolen property, which mainly included health and beauty supply merchandise. Ralphs / Kroger had an estimated $250,000 in loss from five stores located in the City of Torrance over the last 12 months and an estimated $8.1 million loss county-wide during the same time period. These losses do not include other retail stores who have also experienced loss of merchandise due to theft.
Detectives identified two suspects who operated multi-million dollar storefronts that sold this stolen merchandise. Multi-location search warrants were served and two suspects (Javier Franco, 39 years and Celestino Mendez, 30 years), both Los Angeles residents, were taken into custody.
Detectives recovered approximately $295,000 in stolen merchandise from the businesses. The stores operated without valid business permits and failed to pay any taxes on the sales of the stolen property.
In order to combat the effects of Proposition 47, specifically related to retail commercial burglaries and shoplifting, the Torrance Police Department has taken a proactive approach with investigating the people and organizations that are receiving and reselling stolen merchandise, as well as those who are actually committing the thefts from the retail businesses.
This incident is being investigated under the command and direction of Captain Rod Irvine of the Special Operations Bureau. Anyone with additional information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Torrance Police Department Detective Division at (310) 618-5570.
For Full Press Release click the following link:
http://www.torranceca.gov/TPD/Documents/TPD_Press_Release_-_Kroger_Thefts.pdf
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