Organized Retail Theft Arrests: Sheriff Woo Cites SB 54 as Barrier to Public Safety
PLACER COUNTY, CA — “Three suspects were arrested this week following a complex investigation into organized thefts across Placer County and surrounding regions. The individuals are linked to highly organized criminal networks often referred to as Transnational Theft Groups or South American Theft Groups. These crews travel throughout the country, targeting affluent homes and retail businesses. They are sophisticated, coordinated, and known to move quickly between jurisdictions to avoid detection.
“These groups are responsible for significant financial losses among residents and business owners,” said Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo. “Our detectives and deputies worked diligently to identify, track, and safely apprehend these suspects, preventing additional burglaries in our community.”
𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀
In the most recent incidents, the suspects were caught targeting customers at Safeway in North Auburn. Working in teams, they distracted victims while shopping, then stole wallets and phones from carts. The stolen credit and debit cards were used immediately for fraudulent purchases.
Detectives from the Property Crimes Unit were able to identify getaway vehicles used in the crimes, which led to the arrests. Upon further investigation, our detectives uncovered evidence that the suspects had selected and mapped a high-end residence in South Placer County for a planned burglary.
This group is believed to be connected to similar thefts in multiple states, underscoring the need for strong collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies.
𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱:
• Carlos Mario Corredor-Lamprea, 37
• Jose Boade-Payares, 29
• Ivon Vergararincon, 29
All three suspects are in the country illegally from South America and have been arrested multiple times in California.
𝗦𝗕 𝟱𝟰’𝘀 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲
Despite the efforts of local law enforcement, many offenders involved in organized theft rings are repeatedly released back into the community. A key factor contributing to this cycle is Senate Bill 54 (SB 54). While the law was created to protect certain populations, it has created serious challenges for law enforcement. SB 54 restricts local agencies from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, even when offenders are repeat criminals or pose clear threats to public safety. Many suspects in organized retail theft and burglary crews are foreign nationals operating illegally in the United States. Under SB 54, deputies cannot notify or transfer custody of these individuals to federal partners such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unless they meet very narrow criteria. As a result, offenders are often released after booking, sometimes within days, only to resume their criminal activity. This revolving door undermines community safety and the work of law enforcement across the state. Sheriff Woo added, “SB 54 has made it easier for organized crime groups to keep operating and harder for law enforcement to stop them. These organized crime groups exploit the gaps it created, and our communities pay the price. That’s unacceptable for the people we’re sworn to protect.”
𝗢𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗺𝘀
The investigation is ongoing. Photos of the suspects have been released to help identify additional victims. Anyone who believes they were targeted by this crew or has information about related thefts is encouraged to contact the Placer County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 886-5375.”
Originally Published by Placer County Sheriff’s Office
Photo of suspects courtesy of Placer County Sheriff’s Office
