The suspects, all residents of Jurupa Valley, were identified by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department as:

• Thomas Balandran, 50
• Sherri Alvarez, 48
• Brianna Balandran, 19
• Unidentified juvenile, 17

On April 24, deputies responded to a business in Temecula where thieves attempted to steal over $1,000 worth of merchandise.

Investigators identified the suspects and discovered they were responsible for at least 10 retail thefts throughout Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles counties. The family had reportedly stolen over $7,000 worth of items during those incidents, authorities said.

On May 13, a search warrant was served at a home in the 6800 block of Valley Way in Jurupa Valley.

During the search, deputies found a large amount of stolen merchandise with price tags still attached. Other items, including narcotics and paraphernalia, were also found in the home.

Detectives learned there were additional homes connected to the thefts that involved suspects knowingly buying stolen goods to resell for profit, also known as “fencing.”

On May 14, two additional warrants were served in Moreno Valley where over $3,000 worth of stolen items were found.

The adult family members were arrested on charges of organized retail theft, burglary, conspiracy, and grand theft. The 17-year-old juvenile was released to a family member and charges will be filed with juvenile probation.

Deputies discovered that Balandran was on probation for grand theft at the time and additional charges were added to include violation of probation and drug-related offenses.

Investigators believe there are more retail thefts involving the family that have not been reported.

Anyone with additional information can call Deputy Christina Weber at 951-696-3133.

“The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has zero tolerance for these offenses and will continue to work proactively with our allied agencies, loss prevention partners, and the District Attorney’s Office to combat organized retail crime,” authorities said.

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File# T232800034 / T232910107

Details:

On October 7, 2023, at 2:21 p.m., deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station responded to a report of a grand theft at a retail store in the 73000 block of El Paseo, Palm Desert. Two suspects entered the store, stole several high-value items of merchandise, and ran out of the store within seconds. On October 18, 2023, the same suspects entered the same business and stole a significant amount of merchandise prior to fleeing the area. The Palm Desert Investigations Bureau, with the assistance of the Palm Desert Station-Business District Team, assumed the investigation.

During the course of the investigation, one of the suspects, 25-year-old Nikolas Mallory of Los Angeles, was identified as also being a suspect in several similar robberies in Los Angeles. Using investigative leads developed by Palm Desert Investigations and the Los Angeles Police Department-Organized Retail Crime Task Force, on October 22, 2023, search warrants were served in the 800 block of W. 104th Street, Los Angeles, and Mallory was taken into custody. Evidence implicating Mallory in the thefts on El Paseo was recovered and he was booked into a Los Angeles County jail. The identity of the second suspect remains unknown at this time; however, the investigation is currently ongoing.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Investigator Pfohlman at 760–836–1600.

The identity of these suspects and organizations is a result of working with many allied agencies across California who are also combating the rise in organized retail crime. These investigations have resulted in numerous arrests by the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station.

The Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station would like to remind the public to not interfere or attempt to apprehend suspects involved in organized retail crime. Instead, be a good witness, obtain license plates, directions of travel, or any other identifying suspect information to aid investigators.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has a zero-tolerance policy for these offenses. If you suspect illegal activity in your area, please contact the Coachella Valley Dispatch Center at 760–836–3215 or dial 911 in the event of an emergency.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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File # MV232110153

Details:

On July 30, 2023, at 2:33 p.m., deputies assigned to the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station responded to a business in the 12600 block of Frederick Street, in the City of Moreno Valley, reference a theft from a beauty supply retailer. The suspects walked into the store, filled three shopping baskets with beauty supply items and left the store with approximately $2,000 worth of product without paying. The reporting party provided a description of the three female adults, in addition to their vehicle, a silver Kia Optima. Working jointly with local agencies, deputies located the suspect vehicle traveling on the 215 freeway towards the City of San Bernardino. An enforcement stop was conducted, leading to the identification and arrest of 20-year-old Ja’Nique Thomas, 27-year-old Juanesha Ables, and 21-year-old MyLonnie Harris. All three suspects are residents of San Bernardino and were in possession of the stolen merchandise. Thomas, Ables, and Harris were subsequently booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center for felony charges related to grand theft and conspiracy.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call Deputy Muro at the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station by calling (951) 486-6700.

Organized retail crime refers to large-scale theft and fraud by individuals or groups who steal retail goods from a retail supply chain with the intent to resell, distribute, or return stolen merchandise for financial gain.

As a reminder, “Community Policing” involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. Business owner and residents are encouraged to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776-1099, or by calling 911 if the matter is an emergency. Criminal activity can also be reported through the We-Tip Crime Reporting Hotline, (909) 987-5005.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

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