Two Moreno Valley residents face grand theft charges following a coordinated investigation into a multi-city retail theft operation that targeted beauty supply stores across Riverside County. The arrests mark the latest development in an ongoing effort by local law enforcement to combat organized retail crime in the region.
Alex Quevedo, 26, and Gardenia Herrera, 33, were taken into custody on October 22 in the 1500 block of University Avenue, Riverside, according to Riverside County Sheriff's Office. The arrests followed an investigation that began the previous day, when deputies responded to a report of grand theft at a business in the 1600 block of North Perris Boulevard, Perris, where a large quantity of beauty products had been stolen.
The investigation revealed that Quevedo and Herrera were allegedly responsible for previous thefts in the cities of Perris, Hemet, and Rialto, as reported by Riverside County Sheriff's Office. Upon their arrest, the Robbery and Burglary Suppression Team recovered approximately $6,000 worth of stolen property. Quevedo was booked on charges of grand theft and parole violation, while Herrera faces charges of grand theft, probation violation, and theft with priors.
Part of a Broader Pattern
The arrests fit into a troubling pattern of beauty product theft that has plagued Riverside County and the broader Southern California region. In August, Perris authorities arrested multiple suspects in a similar retail theft crackdown that spanned several days, highlighting the pervasive nature of organized retail crime affecting local businesses. Just weeks earlier, another operation in July netted several arrests for grand theft and burglary charges.
Beauty products have become a particularly attractive target for organized retail theft rings, with high-value cosmetics and fragrances easy to resell through online marketplaces. In October 2024, Riverside County deputies arrested two Ontario residents suspected of stealing $123,000 in beauty products during more than 50 thefts across California, as detailed by Press Enterprise. That case involved repeated thefts from a Lake Elsinore beauty supply store, with the suspects returning multiple times to the same location.
Statewide Enforcement Efforts
California has dramatically escalated its response to organized retail crime, with Governor Gavin Newsom announcing in August 2025 that statewide task forces had recovered more than $8 million in stolen assets throughout the year, according to Governor of California. The state has invested $1.7 billion since 2019 to combat property crime, with $267 million specifically allocated to 55 communities to fight organized retail theft.
The California Highway Patrol's Organized Retail Crime Task Force has been instrumental in these efforts, conducting over 4,000 investigations since its inception and arresting more than 4,500 suspects. As reported by Governor of California, law enforcement agencies recovered nearly $150 million in stolen goods from October 2023 to March 2025. Riverside County District Attorney's Office alone recovered over $300,000 worth of retail merchandise through coordinated operations.
New Legal Framework
The arrests come amid significant changes to California's retail theft laws that took effect in January 2025. The bipartisan legislation signed by Governor Newsom in 2024 represents the most substantial property crime reforms in modern California history, according to Governor of California. These changes include enhanced penalties for organized retail theft when stolen merchandise exceeds $950, with potential sentences of 16 months to three years in prison.
The new laws also introduced sentencing enhancements for large-scale theft operations—an additional year for thefts exceeding $50,000 and two extra years when stolen goods exceed $100,000. Courts now have authority to issue retail theft restraining orders prohibiting convicted individuals from entering specific establishments for up to two years, as detailed by Helfend Law Group. Additionally, prosecutors can now charge possession of more than $950 in stolen goods with intent to sell as a crime punishable by up to three years in jail.
Local Impact
The Perris Sheriff's Station has maintained an aggressive enforcement posture against retail theft throughout 2025. In March, according to KTLA, a multi-day retail theft operation resulted in 23 arrests across Riverside County, with suspects facing charges ranging from shoplifting to parole violations. Many of those arrested were repeat offenders with outstanding warrants and prior theft convictions.
The economic impact on local businesses extends beyond immediate inventory losses. As noted by Public Policy Institute of California, Riverside County saw a 9% increase in commercial burglary rates between 2019 and 2022, though this was among the smallest increases in the state's 15 largest counties. However, retail theft and commercial robbery remain persistent challenges affecting business viability and consumer confidence.
The Investigation Continues
The current case remains under active investigation, with authorities encouraging anyone with additional information to contact Investigator Ortiz at the Perris Sheriff's Station at (951) 210-1000. The Robbery and Burglary Suppression Team continues to work with loss prevention staff from retail establishments to identify theft patterns and apprehend suspects involved in organized retail crime operations.
Both Quevedo and Herrera were booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center, where they await further proceedings. The charges they face reflect California's increasingly tough stance on repeat offenders and organized retail theft, with potential sentences that could include significant prison time and restitution to affected businesses.
