Shoplifting ‘family’ nabbed after surveillance photos released
An Ontario couple trying to become the latest edition of Bonnie and Clyde were caught after their first robbery at a West Covina mall. But then again, Bonnie and Clyde didn’t have to contend with security cameras. According to a West Covina Police Department press release, 36-year-old Roman Daniel Landero and 24-year-old Monica Belen Ortiz were arrested after authorities were tipped off by a citizen who saw the couple’s pictures on a local newspaper’s website.
Roman Daniel Landero and Monica Belen Ortiz
On Feburary 24th, Landero, Ortiz, and two small children entered a JC Penney with a stroller at the West Covina Westfield Shopping Center. Both of them began to place items in the stroller while Landero also tried on shoes without taking them back off. Ortiz exited the store with the stolen merchandise first, taking the children with her, as Landero followed a short distance back.
The situation escalated when a loss prevention agent approached Ortiz, causing Landero to assault the agent. Landero chased the agent back into the store where he struck him several times before running away. As a result of the attack, the security guard sustained a fractured nose, cuts, bruising, and swelling about the face.
These images of Landero and Ortiz on their "shopping spree" led to their identification and arrest
On March 12th, West Covina Police released pictures of the suspects taken from security cameras to the public and media. Later that day, police received a tip from a citizen who had identified Landero and Ortiz’s pictures on the San Gabriel Valley Tribune website. After obtaining warrants, detectives arrested Landero and Ortiz without incident at a residence on the 1700 block of East D Street in Ontario. At the house, investigators recovered the stolen JC Penney merchandise and found a 7-month-old child who was later released to relatives.
“This was clearly another example of the police and the community coming together to achieve the common goal of keeping the City of West Covina a safe and wonderful place to live and work,” said Public Information Officer Rudy Lopez of the West Covina Police Department
Landero and Ortiz were booked for robbery and assault and had their bail set at $500,000 each. They are due at the West Covina Superior Court on March 15th.
Read More:
Baldwin Park Patch: Couple Arrested in Connection with West Covina JC Penney Robbery
CBS Los Angeles: Police Arrest 2 Suspects In Connection To Robbery, Assault At West Covina JC Penney
Daily Bulletin: Ontario residents jailed in alleged West Covina Robbery
