A special law enforcement operation at a Central Avenue retail store netted five arrests and over $4,000 in stolen goods this Wednesday, February 21. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department's Lake Elsinore Station Special Enforcement Team partnered with the store's loss prevention team to catch the thieves red-handed, officials said.
The sting, which took place within the 29300 block of Central Avenue, saw deputies join forces with store security professionals, catching multiple individuals as they attempted to exit the store with unpaid merchandise concealed on them. After observing these subjects leaving the business without settling the bill, deputies moved in for the arrest.
The suspects were then rounded up on a series of theft-related allegations, ranging from petty theft to grand theft, conspiracy, and commercial burglary. The crew included 45-year-old Nedal Salman of Mead Valley, who is facing aggregated felony theft charges. Also in the mix were Joseph Mende, 41, of Lake Elsinore; Freddy Santillanes, 34, and Alfonso Marquez, 42, both residents of Fresno; and Anabelle Escobar, 37, from Menifee.
"Retail theft affects business owners, citizens, and everyone's overall quality of life," the Lake Elsinore Station stated while illustrating the impact of such crimes on the community. In a community effort to clamp down on crime, deputies urged everyone – from business owners to residents – to keep an eye out and report any suspected criminal activity. Those in immediate danger or witnessing a crime in action should not hesitate to dial 911, and other incidents can be reported to Sheriff's Dispatch at (951) 776–1099, as the deputies are keen to keep a lid on local larceny.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Department assured that this is just one more step in their ongoing mission to hold thieves accountable and protect the area from the ravages of retail rascals.
