LASD Major Crimes Bureau Organized Retail Crime Task Force Makes Several Arrests, Recovers Stolen Items
Los Angeles County - On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) served search warrants on the 700 block of South Serrano Avenue and the 700 block of Alvarado Street, both in the City of Los Angeles.
As a result of the operation, detectives arrested two suspects, Cesar Santiago, 47, and Adriana Santiago, 22, of Los Angeles for their involvement in reselling stolen retail items within the MacArthur Park area of Los Angeles. The team coordinated with representatives from retail stores Lululemon, Alo, Target, TJ Maxx, and Macy's to identify stolen merchandise. During the execution of the search warrants, investigators identified and recovered approximately $39,238.23 in stolen merchandise which consisted of clothing, kitchenware, cosmetics, and personal hygiene products. Both suspects were arrested and booked for violations of organized retail theft and receiving stolen property. The case will be presented to the District Attorney’s office for filing consideration on Friday, August 14, 2026.
On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, ORCTF detectives, along with detectives from the Inland Empire Cargo Taskforce, served a search warrant on the 2700 block of South Eastern Avenue, in the City of Commerce at a large warehouse facility. The operation led to the recovery of teeth whitening toothpaste valued at $150,000 and twenty-two units of Edifier speakers valued at $3,300. Additionally on August 5, ORCTF detectives furthered their investigation of a South American Theft Group (SATG) crew who have been identified in a series of organized retail thefts in Riverside, San Bernadino, and Los Angeles Counties. Detectives learned a member of the crew, Luis Grisales Suarez, 18, of Los Angeles, who was wanted on several cases of organized retail theft, was arrested by Glendale Police Department at the Glendale Galleria. ORCTF detectives responded, took custody of the suspect, and booked him at the Temple Sheriff's Station for organized retail theft and grand theft. The case will be presented to the District Attorney’s office for filing consideration.
On Thursday, August 6, ORCTF detectives conducted a surveillance operation in Santa Clarita on a residential burglary crew. The crew is comprised of SATG members suspected of committing several residential burglaries in Walnut, Glendale, and Baldwin Park. During the surveillance, the crew was observed casing a neighborhood in Santa Clarita. Detectives observed the suspects deploying a Wi-Fi jammer and committing a residential burglary. The crew consisted of three suspects: Ivan Comas, 30, of North Hollywood, David Oyaga, 38 of Covina, and Edson Orozco-Castillo, 32, of Santa Ana who were arrested without incident and in possession of evidence including the Wi-Fi jammer, false license plates, burglary tools, clothing, and gloves. The suspects were booked at Santa Clarita Sheriff's Station for burglary. The case was presented to the Los Angeles County Organized Crimes Deputy District Attorney, and the suspects were charged with burglary and attempted burglary. The case was filed on Monday, August 10, 2026.
"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,” said Major Crimes Bureau Captain Calvin Mah. “Our detectives worked closely with law enforcement partners to identify suspects throughout the region, recover significant amounts of stolen property, and hold those responsible accountable. These operations are a direct reflection of our commitment to protecting our communities and supporting businesses that are impacted by organized theft. I’m proud of the consistent work being done by our Organized Retail Crime Task Force and the dedication of our detectives who continue to pursue individuals who prey on businesses and our community." To combat organized retail theft, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department formed the Organized Retail Crimes Task Force (ORCTF) in September 2023. The task force is composed of three teams: Organized Retail Crimes Task Force (ORCTF), Cargo Criminal Apprehension Team (CCATS), and the Burglary and Robbery Task Force (BRTF). They operate out of LASD’s Major Crimes Bureau and are dedicated to investigating, identifying, and apprehending suspect(s) of organized retail crimes.
MCB specialized investigators work tirelessly and in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, other organized retail crime task forces, and federal partners to stop crimes at all sophisticated levels for the safety of the community.
If anyone has information regarding organized retail theft, cargo theft , or metal theft, please contact the Organized Retail Crimes Task Force at ORCTF@LASD.ORG, or 562-946-7270. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you may call “L.A. Crime Stoppers” at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org Forwarded by: Sheriff's Information Bureau Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department 211 West Temple Street Los Angeles California 90012 213-229-1700 http://www.lasd.org