OREM — A nationwide retail theft investigation culminated with more than a dozen arrests in Orem on Monday.
Police in Auburn Hills, Michigan, had sent out information regarding about eight people suspected of stealing an estimated $20,000 worth of clothing on Nov. 10. The police bulletin also made reference to two vehicles with Illinois plates “which had most recently been located in Orem and Heber City per license plate readers,” according to a police booking affidavit.
An Orem officer who saw the bulletin immediately recognized one of the suspects as matching a man wanted in connection with an attempted theft on Saturday at Al’s Sporting Goods, 643 E. University Parkway. In that case, two men ran off after being chased by store security “and discarded a backpack filled with stolen merchandise valued at over $4,300. When the backpack was recovered, it was found to be lined with a metal material which defeated the security sensors,” the affidavit states.
Monday night, officers located the two vehicles listed in the Michigan bulletin at a house at 976 N. 560 East. A search warrant was obtained and eight men, four women and a boy were detained.
“During a search of the residence, approximately 20 large Lowe’s brand moving boxes were located which all contained brand new clothing from retailers such as American Eagle, Michael Kors, Victoria’s Secret, Gap, Coach and Zumiez. The vast majority of these clothing items all had the store tags still attached. A large trash bag was located which contained security sensors which had been removed,” according to the affidavit. “The value of all of these items is expected to exceed $100,000.”
Investigators believe the clothing was about to be sent to Laredo, Texas, where it was taken to Mexico as part of a nationwide retail theft operation, the affidavit alleges.
“This group is being investigated by both local and federal agencies,” officers noted.
Thirteen people were booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of engaging in a pattern of unlawful activity, retail theft, theft and having burglary tools: Jorge Gonzalez Espinosa, 25; Aylin Guadalupe Vargas-Pena, 26; Mario Peralta-Tliayatzi, 27; Jonathan Rodolfo Alonso Rosales, 33; Miguel Angel Rodriguez Torres, 34; Aixa Jezalbe Ponce-Diaz de Sol, 23; Julio Cesar Gonzalez, 27; Gecia Damaris Gonzalez Espinosa, 24; Oscar Martin Gonzalez de Paz, 25; Maria Teresa Garcia Martinez, 38; Joan Daniel Garcia Lara, 22; Angel Jonathan Estrella Vargas, 25; and Heriberto Gerardo Alonso Lozano, 48.
Twelve of the people arrested have the same residence in Chicago listed as their home address, according to police, although investigators say all who were arrested are “Mexican nationals and all of them were found to currently be in the United States illegally.” One woman was listed as transient, in Orem.
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