Deputies working in the Sonoma Police Department arrested two people for theft and discovered approximately $9,500 worth of stolen merchandise.
On June 24, 2018 at approximately 9:30 p.m., Sonoma Police Department deputies were dispatched to an in-progress theft occurring at Safeway, located at 477 West Napa Street. The caller saw the theft happening and provided a physical description of the woman and vehicle to the dispatcher. Upon the deputy’s arrival, the witness told the deputy the suspect was in a silver minivan that drove away.
Another deputy responding to the theft saw a silver minivan traveling eastbound on West Napa Street approximately five blocks from Safeway. The alert deputy pulled over the minivan and contacted the occupants. The passenger was a woman matching the witness’ description. She could not provide any identification was detained by deputies. Deputies saw several items of store merchandise in plain view inside the back of the minivan.
Deputies brought the witness to the traffic stop. The witness positively identified the woman as the suspect observed stealing several items of merchandise. The merchandise consisted of baby formula and multiple packages of over-the-counter medication that requires an ID to purchase.
During the investigation, deputies recovered over 400 items of similar store merchandise believed to have been stolen from other Safeway stores in Napa County and Contra Costa County. The value of the suspected stolen merchandise is approximately $9,500. Deputies later determined the woman provided a false name to deputies at the scene. They determined her actual identity and discovered she had an outstanding arrest warrant in Napa County on a separate theft-related case.
Sonoma Police deputies arrested Ashley Chiane Easy, 23 years old, from Antioch, California and Julio Cesar Cuellar, 41 years old, from San Francisco. Easy and Cuellar were arrested and booked into custody at the Sonoma County jail on charges of burglary, possession of stolen property, and conspiracy. Easy was also charged with providing a false name to a peace officer.
Prepared by: Misti D. Harris, Community Engagement Liaison
Case #: SOP 18-0000739
Media Inquiries: 707-565-3941
