The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office last month conducted a retail theft operation at several large stores on Southeast 82nd Avenue and Johnson Creek Boulevard that was also successful in breaking up a large-scale ring.
The operation resulted in a total of more than 20 arrests and the recovery of $32,000 in stolen merchandise.
The June 23 operation included county sheriff’s deputies and detectives, including one assigned to the Milwaukie Police Department. The initial mission resulted in the arrests of 22 people on multiple charges and the recovery of more than $3,000 in stolen merchandise.
Deputies also cleared 13 arrest warrants, made two additional arrests for probation violations and recovered three stolen vehicles. The sheriff’s office worked closely with loss prevention officers at participating retailers, which included Fred Meyer and Walgreens.
Stolen items ranged from food and clothes to tools and cosmetics, officials said. The sheriff’s office mission focused on the Fred Meyer and Walgreens locations, but deputies also responded to other shoplifting and theft calls in the area, resulting in more arrests.
In one case, deputies uncovered a suspect committing aggravated identity theft where they were found in possession of personally identifying information, including checks, EBT cards, money orders, identifications and passports of more than 10 other people.
In another case, detectives arrested members believed to be involved in organized retail crime group targeting Burlington Coat Factory stores in both Oregon and Washington.
Three suspects were arrested in that incident, later identified as Elias Aguilera-Salgado, 31; Rosa Valencia-Torres and Jesus Sanchez-Torres. A fourth individual fled the scene and wasn’t able to be contacted or identified.
During a later, warranted search of that group’s vehicle, investigators reportedly located several large garbage bags filled with merchandise believed to have been stolen from retailers throughout the Portland/Vancouver metro area.
Most of the merchandise appeared to be designer clothing, purses and fragrances from brands such as Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY, and Dolce & Gabbana, among others.
Working together with loss prevention and store management from Burlington, investigators identified what they believed to be several thousand dollars worth of stolen merchandise that were returned to the retailer.
The overall amount of stolen merchandise recovered during the execution of the search warrant was more than $29,000. Additional items believed to be used to defeat and remove retailer security measures were located as well.
Police want to speak with other retailers who may have been impacted by the large-scale retail theft ring on or before June 22. If you have information, please contact the sheriff’s office at 503-723-4949 or by using the online tip form. Reference case no. 23-013104.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office conducts these shoplifting operations on a regular basis to help deter the continuing issue of retail theft.
Other arrests included Emirra Baker, 21, Ryan Rajacic, 35, Stacy Pulfrey, 28, Rustin Carroll, 37, Jason Batiste, 46, Cheyenne Conn, 31, Jose Alfaro, 51, Daisy Hernandez, 41, Unique Baker, 24, and Simone Gray, 24 — all for second-degree theft
Also taken into custody were Oscar Yanez, 48, third-degree theft, felon in possession and identity theft; Reece Butcher, 23, Joshua Kimray, 33, David Lashway, 57, Son Dahn, 55, Rhonda Dionisi, 26, and Derrick Sterling, 43 — all for third-degree theft; and Katherine Jones, 33, driving while suspended.
