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El Cajon PD Press Releases>
Arrests in Mall Theft Series
March 13, 2008
TYPE OF INCIDENT: Arrests in Mall Theft Series
OCCURRED: March 12, 2008
LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE: Parkway Plaza
VICTIM (S) NAME & ADDRESS: Hollister, El Cajon
Victoria’s Secret, El Cajon
ARRESTEES:
Miguel Hernandez Gonzalez, 9-16-78, Transient
Alejandro H. Hernandez, 5-7-79, Chula Vista resident
Catalino Ramirez Herrera, 7-1-52, Chula Vista resident
RESUME OF INCIDENT:
In February 2008, the El Cajon Police Department began
receiving reports of thefts from stores in Parkway Plaza.
The suspects in these cases became increasingly brazen,
entering stores including Hollister and Victoria’s Secret,
stealing large amounts of clothing. Detective Greg Johnson
was assigned to investigate a total of seven cases, which
had a combined loss of approximately $10,000.00.
When Det. Johnson began his investigation, he found that
there were similar cases occurring in San Diego and
National City. Det. Johnson met with detectives from San
Diego PD and National City PD, and it was determined that
many of these crimes were most likely being committed by
the same group of people. Based on statistical
information, all of the police departments involved planned
a joint surveillance at malls in their jurisdictions.
On March 13 at about 2:20 PM, detectives from the El Cajon
Police Department were in surveillance positions at Parkway
Plaza when they noticed a man run out of the mall and get
into a waiting car. The man was carrying a bag from the
Hollister store, which was overflowing with clothing.
Believing that he had possibly stolen the clothing, they
began to follow the vehicle. Detectives had dispatch call
the store, and confirmed that the property had just been
stolen. Marked units stopped the vehicle, and the three
occupants were taken into custody. Additional stolen
clothing and cologne were found in the vehicle. The total
approximate value of the stolen property in the vehicle was
over $5,500.00.
Based on the investigation, it is believed that these
suspects are responsible for similar thefts throughout the
county. The suspects were arrested and booked into county
jail on charges of Burglary, Grand Theft, Possession of
Stolen Property and Conspiracy. This is an on-going
investigation.
Prepared by: Lt. Tim Henton Div:
Investigations Date/Time: 3-13-08/1300 hours
Clifford Diamond, CHIEF OF POLICE
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