Simi Valley Police Department – Incident Press Release
On November 5, 2020, the Simi Valley Police Departments Patrol Division responded to the Marshalls department store (1555 Simi Town Center Way) regarding a theft investigation. It was reported that the Marshalls / T.J. Maxx corporations were experiencing a rash of organized thefts throughout the Southern California region. Based on information received from the initial crime report, the Simi Valley Detective Bureau initiated an investigation into what appeared to be an Organized Retail Theft group.
During the following month, Property Crimes Detectives from the Simi Valley Police Department, in conjunction with the T.J. Maxx regional loss prevention unit, conducted physical surveillance in an effort to identify the involved suspects. This investigation revealed that several suspects were actively targeting stores such as T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and C.V.S.. They would steal large quantities of clothing and make up products to be resold illegally.
Through this investigation, the vendor who was knowingly selling the stolen goods (aka “The Fence”) was identified as Miguel Zevallos (41 years) of Los Angeles. Zevallos was operating a vending booth in the MacArthur Park area of Los Angeles where he would knowingly sell the stolen goods.
On December 2, 2020, the Simi Valley Police Departments Detective Unit obtained and executed a search warrant on Zevallos and his booth of illegal wares. During this search warrant, in excess of $6,000 worth of stolen clothing, shoes, and luggage were recovered. Zevallos was arrested and later booked at the Ventura County Main Jail for felony violations of 490.4(a)(4) PC – Organized Retail Theft as well as 182 (a)(1)PC – Conspiracy. Zevallos’ bail was set at $20,000.
Organized Retail Theft is on the rise across the United States. Nefarious criminals are utilizing the mask requirements associated with the Covid-19 pandemic to accomplish their crimes. If you observe any such crime, be a good witness. Do not get physically involved. Obtaining information such as a vehicle description or license plate is very helpful. Most of all, if you see it happening, please notify the store management and/or law enforcement immediately.
If you have information to report associated with this crime/crime activity, please contact Detective Josh Lorencz at (805) 583-6224
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