Case Highlight: Juan Ambriz-Rincon (CR2023-147649-001)
39-year-old Juan Ambriz-Rincon has been charged and indicted on the following: two counts of trafficking stolen property in the first degree, class two felonies, one count of attempt to commit trafficking stolen property in the first degree, a class three felony, 14 counts of organized retail theft, class four felonies and one count of possession or use of dangerous drug, a class four felony.
The indictment alleges that from October 2022 thru October 23, Ambriz-Rincon stole merchandise from numerous Home Depot stores not only in Arizona, but in other neighboring states as well. Home Depot investigators confirmed Ambriz-Rincon was responsible for a documented loss of close to $1 million that lasted over three years.
Case Highlight: Sierra Monroe & Sarah Barker
(CR2023-152268-001 [002])
26-year-old Sierra Monroe and 36-year-old Sarah Barker are accused of stealing over $6,600 worth of clothing from various Marshall’s stores throughout the valley. The pair, along with other suspects, stole merchandise from stores in Avondale and Phoenix in October 2023. Monroe faces six counts of organized retail theft, class four felonies. Barker faces two organized retail theft charges, also class four felonies.
Other Notable Cases:
State v. Lili Teresita Cisnero (CR2022-129400-002)
Cisnero was part of a crew out of California, who came out to Maricopa County, committed multiple thefts. She pled guilty to two felonies and was ultimately sentenced to 3.25 years in prison. She agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $29,380.59.
State v. Antania Kimble (CR2023-127824-001)
Stole approximately $20k in cosmetics. Police were able to recover close to $8k. She agreed to pay restitution in the amount $11,920 to Ulta and was sentenced to 3 years of probation with 1 year in jail.
State v. Geovanni Arna (CR2022-002081-001 and CR2022-128447-001)
Multiple cases – Stealing power tools from Home Depot and Lowes and then also vacuums and hones from Target. He got 2 years in jail with 3 years of probation upon release. Restitution of: $7,043.97 to Home Depot; $2,823 to Lowe’s; $2,102.86 to Target.
State v. Kenneth Reese Perkins (CR2023-149067-001)
On November 3, 2023, Kenneth Reese Perkins was indicted on 4 counts of organized retail theft, class 4 felonies. The 56 year-old Phoenix resident is accused of having taken over $1,000 in liquor from Fry’s Food Stores as well as taking merchandise from a local Walmart.
Understanding Organized Retail Theft
In this video, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell addresses the pressing issue of organized retail theft, emphasizing that it extends beyond individual shoplifting incidents. Mitchell highlights the damaging impact these organized groups have on businesses, communities, and the local economy, urging a collaborative effort between retailers, customers, the community, law enforcement, and the Maricopa County Attorney's Office to combat and prevent the escalation of this issue in Maricopa County.
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Securing Our Community: Fox 10 Interviews County Attorney Rachel Mitchell on Organized Retail Crime
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell discusses the rising threat of organized retail theft with Fox 10's John Hook. Delving into the impact on businesses and communities, Mitchell introduces the MCAO Safe Shopping Campaign, emphasizing the importance of prosecuting these crimes to deter would-be offenders. Join the conversation on combating organized retail theft and protecting our community.
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County Attorney Rachel Mitchell Explains Organized Retail Crime Trends
In a recent interview, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell addressed the national surge in organized retail crime and discussed the impact it has had on the Phoenix area. Watch now to learn more about this crime trend and the collaborative efforts needed to combat this growing issue in our community.
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Warning Signs
To combat the issue of Organized Retail Crime (ORCT) effectively, it's vital to recognize the warning signs associated with this criminal activity.
- Observe Your Surroundings: When you're in a retail store, be attentive to your surroundings. Look for any unusual or suspicious behavior by customers or individuals in the store.
- Suspicious Group Activity: Observing groups of individuals working together to distract store staff or conceal stolen items.
- Report Suspicious Activity: If you witness suspicious behavior, especially if it involves multiple individuals working together or concealing items, don't hesitate to report it to store security or management. They can then take appropriate action and contact law enforcement if necessary.
- Presence of Fencing Operations: Noticing suspicious locations or individuals engaged in buying and reselling stolen goods.
- Encourage Others: Encourage friends, family, and community members to be vigilant and report any unusual behavior related to shoplifting to store personnel or law enforcement.