Brazen Retail Theft Ring Exposed: Charges Filed Against 10 Suspects
Four individuals have been charged in connection with an organized retail theft ring that orchestrated a series of smash-and-grab robberies in Riverside and Los Angeles counties. Additionally, six others are facing charges for their alleged involvement in a shoe store theft in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles. The charges were filed by the state Attorney General’s Office and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The four main suspects, all 18 years old, were identified as Ziona Janea Famoso, Jordan Harris, Alana Hart, and Jason Jaylom Smith. They face a total of 14 felony counts, including organized retail theft. Famoso and Hart are accused of stealing merchandise worth nearly $100,000 from a Burberry outlet store in Riverside County on August 1. Meanwhile, Harris and Smith are charged with an armed carjacking on August 7 in Los Angeles County, with an additional allegation that Harris used a firearm during the crime. Famoso, Hart, and Harris are also linked to a smash-and-grab robbery at the Yves Saint Laurent store in Glendale on August 8, where approximately $300,000 worth of merchandise was stolen. Moreover, the trio is accused of participating in a robbery at the Nordstrom store at the Westfield Topanga Shopping Center on August 12, resulting in over $350,000 in stolen goods.
The charges filed against the suspects include burglary, grand theft, vandalism, and robbery. Shockingly, the criminal complaint reveals that Hart and Smith were out on bail or release from previous cases at the time of these alleged crimes.
On a separate note, six other individuals have been implicated in organized retail theft at a Warehouse Shoe Store (WSS). These suspects have been identified as Abraham Olivares, Raul Palazuelos (also known as Raul Perez), Joe Hernandez, Michonna Metcalf, Henry Thomas, and Trista Manuel. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged them accordingly. The allegations state that Olivares and Palazuelos stole a significant amount of merchandise from the shoe store on York Blvd. Hernandez’s role in the incidents has yet to be specified. All six defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Olivares, Palazuelos, and Hernandez were apprehended the same day of the thefts by officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Northwest Division. Metcalf, Thomas, and Manuel were arrested about half an hour after stealing merchandise from WSS. They were stopped in downtown Los Angeles, where they had allegedly placed the stolen items in bags.
District Attorney George Gascón issued a strong statement condemning the actions of these organized retail theft perpetrators. He emphasized that his office, in collaboration with the Organized Retail Crime Task Force and the Organized Crime Division, remains devoted to bringing these criminals to justice. Attorney General Rob Bonta echoed these sentiments, recognizing the detrimental impact of organized retail theft on businesses, retailers, and consumers. He assured the public that the California Department of Justice and its partners will continue their efforts to safeguard communities, businesses, and consumers from such crimes.
The charges filed against these suspects shed light on the growing concern of organized retail theft and its impact on both local businesses and community security. Authorities are taking these incidents seriously and are determined to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
