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Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón today announced that nearly 200 organized retail theft cases involving adult and juvenile defendants have been filed by the office.

These cases were filed through the efforts of the regional organized retail task forces which is comprised of regional law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney’s Office partnering together to prosecute these crimes.

“Organized retail theft is not a victimless crime, it harms our community’s sense of security while shopping at these retailers, and the ability for local businesses to succeed,” District Attorney Gascón said. “When we saw a rise in organized retail theft crimes, I committed to holding these individuals accountable. Through my partnership with the Organized Retail Theft Task Force, we have been able to track down many of the offenders and bring them to justice.

We want businesses to succeed and for Angelenos to feel safe while they’re out in public. Filing these cases is just the beginning of my office’s work toward deterring these types of crimes in order to make Los Angeles County a safer place.”

“Organized retail theft stole the feeling of safety and security from Angelino’s and business owners alike last year,” said LAPD Chief Michel Moore. “This regional organized retail theft task force has restored much of this, although, there is work still to be done.  I am proud of the hard work and dedication to public safety of those not only from the Los Angeles Police Department, but our partnering agencies as well. As public servants, we cannot work in silos; we cannot work alone. Public safety belongs to all of us.”

“The Sheriff’s Organized Retail Crimes Task Force in collaboration with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and our partner law enforcement agencies are continuing to work tirelessly to tackle these brazen smash-and-grabs that are having a significant impact on our business communities,” said LASD Major Crimes Bureau Acting Captain Rob Peacock. “Since inception of our task force, we have arrested 438 suspects related to retail theft and 309 cases have been successfully filed. We are not only focused on the individuals responsible for the thefts, but those that are in the criminal chain—the getaway drivers, those that harbor them, and those that sell the stolen merchandise. These individuals need to understand that there will be consequences—we will use all our resources to identify, pursue, and arrest these suspects.” 

“WSS acknowledges and supports the vital efforts of the Organized Retail Theft Task Force and the District Attorney’s Office in combating organized retail theft, which detrimentally affects neighborhood security and local businesses. We remain committed to collaborating with law enforcement to deter and prosecute these crimes,” Blanca Gonzalez, senior vice president and general manager, Warehouse Shoe Sale.

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Today Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, alongside Culver City Police Chief Jason Sims and Long Beach Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Don Mauk, announced felony charges in two separate cases.

In the first case, out of Culver City, Marcos Maldonado was charged with sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in her Culver City home. In the second case, out of Long Beach, Martin Lopez was charged with impersonating a police officer and sexually assaulting and attempting to kidnap a woman.

“These two cases demonstrate how partnerships between my office and our local law enforcement agencies can result in getting dangerous individuals off the street,” District Attorney Gascón said. “I am committed to prosecuting cases involving sexual violence, especially when they target some of our most vulnerable community members, including children. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families during this unimaginably difficult time.

My office’s Bureau of Victim Services is readily available to provide trauma-informed support and services to the victims and their families. I also have full confidence in my office’s Sex Crimes Division that they will spare no effort in ensuring the individuals responsible are held accountable for these appalling crimes.”

“From the day this disturbing and tragic crime occurred, Culver City Police Department Investigators have worked tirelessly to solve this case,” City of Culver City Police Chief Jason Sims said. “I want to thank all our partners who worked alongside our detectives to ensure this suspect was identified and located as quickly as possible. Thank you to the LA Impact Task Force, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Crime Lab, the UCLA Santa Monica Rape Treatment Center, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for your partnership. I also want to thank the Culver City community, particularly the Blair Hills neighborhood for the continued support of the dedicated men and women of the Culver City Police Department who have worked diligently to seek justice for the victim in this case. We will continue to work in close collaboration with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office through the successful prosecution of this suspect.”

“Our personnel work tirelessly to keep Long Beach safe and to hold suspects responsible for crime committed in our city,” said Long Beach Chief of Police Wally Hebeish. “This arrest is a testament to our commitment to bringing justice to victims and getting dangerous suspects out of our community. We urge anyone who may have also been a victim of this suspect to please come forward and we stand ready to assist the District Attorney in the prosecution of this case.” 

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Yesterday, the Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that Klinton Dion is charged with Anti-Semitic vandalisms on public and private property, including Temple Emanu El, in Burbank and Glendale.

“The escalating wave of anti-Semitic attacks against the Jewish community will not be tolerated in Los Angeles County," asserted District Attorney Gascón. “We have a zero tolerance for such behavior and our Hate Crimes Unit will work diligently to continue prosecuting such crimes.”

He also announced that Jarris Silagi has been charged with violently attacking a Jewish couple as they were on their way to celebrate Shabbat at their synagogue in Beverly Hills.

“I unequivocally condemn the violent attack inflicted upon those peacefully observing their faith.” District Attorney Gascón said. “Such acts of Antisemitism have no place in our community, and we continue to be committed to ensuring justice prevails and holding the defendant accountable. Our thoughts are with the victims and all those who continue to be targeted for their faith. My office’s Hate Crimes Unit will work diligently to bring justice to the victims.”

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