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 # Multiple File Numbers

Details:

During the last few months of the year 2022, multiple Riverside County residents were victims of catalytic converter thefts where the suspects brandished a firearm at victims to discourage them from interrupting their criminal activity. Deputies assigned to the city of Eastvale Special Enforcement Team worked tirelessly and cooperatively with several neighboring law enforcement agencies to include San Bernardino County agencies in attempts to locate and arrest the suspects.

The partnership with all agencies proved to be successful on January 17, 2023.  During the early morning hours, a black Dodge Challenger became involved in a high-speed vehicle pursuit through several counties. The vehicle ultimately crashed, and two juvenile suspects were arrested. Deputies searched the vehicle and located an AR-15 rifle BB gun, floor jack, reciprocating saw and saw blades.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department would like to thank all the cooperating agencies who assisted in the investigation and apprehension of these suspects. It is without doubt the partnership and communication between agencies played a key role in this investigation.

As a reminder, “Community Policing” involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. 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 by calling 909-987-5005.

Catalytic converter thefts remain a high priority for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. Anyone with additional information regarding catalytic converter thefts is encouraged to contact Deputy Aguilar from the Special Enforcement Team at the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station at (951) 955-2659.

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File # MV220340196

Details:

In March 2022, the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station, Robbery Burglary Suppression Team (RBST), began investigating a series of catalytic converter thefts that occurred in the city of Moreno Valley. Through various investigative leads, RBST identified a suspect responsible for multiple catalytic converter thefts. The suspect was identified as, Nathan Hohnstein, a 36-year-old resident of Moreno Valley, and the vehicle he used while committing these thefts was identified as a 2017 black Dodge Challenger.

On March 24, 2022, RBST served a search warrant at the residence on Bald Eagle Lane, Moreno Valley, where evidence related to the thefts was recovered, including multiple catalytic converters. At the time of the search warrant, Nathan was not located. RBST personnel continued the investigation and subsequently located Nathan at a residence in the 38000 block of Orchard Street, in the unincorporated area of Riverside County known as Cherry Valley.

On March 30, 2022, RBST, along with the Special Enforcement Team/Gang Unit, Riverside County Sheriff’s SWAT, and the Aviation Unit, served a search warrant at the residence on Orchard Street. Nathan was located and taken into custody without incident.

The Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station RBST believes Nathan may be responsible for multiple additional catalytic converter thefts and is asking anyone with additional information to contact Deputy Timothy Passalacqua at the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station by calling (951) 486-6700.

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

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