Ventura County Sheriff – – Incident Press Release
On May 16, 2020, multiple suspects conspired to steal a victim’s wallet while she was shopping at the Whole Foods Market on Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks. The suspects immediately used the victim’s credit cards at a nearby Target to attempt to make fraudulent purchases. On August 13, 2020 detectives located and arrested (S) Francisco Castillo Rivas and (S) Romina Rojas Calderon for their involvement in the Wallet Theft and subsequent Identity Theft.
After the crime occurred, detectives with the Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit began an investigation to identify the suspects involved in the crime. Detectives were able to identify one of the suspects as Castillo Rivas. During their investigation, detectives learned Castillo Rivas had committed the same crime at the same location in Thousand Oaks in 2017. Detectives learned that an arrest warrant had been issued for Castillo Rivas in 2019 for that crime, however Castillo Rivas eluded capture until April 2020. Due to the COVID pandemic, Castillo Rivas was released from custody due to the state’s Zero Bail Order. Castillo Rivas failed to appear for his court date in June, and a warrant for his arrest was issued again. After further investigation, detectives learned Castillo Rivas was a Chilean National who was in the country illegally, and had an extensive criminal history throughout the United States and had used numerous aliases. Detectives also learned Castillo Rivas had numerous warrants for his arrest for similar crimes in Los Angeles County, Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina.
Detectives were able to identify the second suspect as Rojas Calderon. During their investigation, detectives determined Rojas Calderon was also a Chilean National who was also in the country illegally. Detectives also determined Rojas Calderon had an extensive history of committing similar crimes in California, Florida and New York. Detectives also determined Rojas Calderon had a warrant for her arrest in New York.
On August 13, 2020, detectives from the Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit, Directed Enforcement Unit, Detective Bureau and Moorpark Special Enforcement Unit located and arrested Castillo Rivas and Rojas Calderon at their residences in the 11000 block of Hamlin Street in North Hollywood. During a subsequent search of their residences, detectives located evidence linking them to the crimes and approximately $100,000 in designer purses, clothing and sunglasses that were suspected to have been obtained through similar criminal activity. The property was in a state of being packaged for shipment back to Chile.
Castillo Rivas and Rojas Calderon were booked into the Main Jail for Felony Burglary During State of Emergency – 463(a) PC, Conspiracy to Commit a Crime – 182(a)(1) PC, Identity Theft – 530.5(a) PC and multiple warrants. They are both currently in custody and their bail has been set at $250,000.
The Thousand Oaks Police Department would like to remind residents to secure their purses while dining or shopping and never leave them attended. Organized thieves such as these individuals are proficient at distracting victims while their crime partners quickly and discretely steal the victim‘s wallet. When feasible, keep your wallets at the bottom of your purse. Thieves are looking for an opportunity to take your personal items and use them for financial gain. Report any suspicious activity to the Thousand Oaks Police Department
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