23 arrested in Southern California retail theft bust

Authorities arrested 23 suspects during a multi-day retail theft bust in Riverside County.

The operation was a partnership between local business owners, large retailers and loss prevention employees who worked with the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Robbery and Burglary Suppression Team.

The three-day operation took place from March 5-7 and focused on local businesses in the Lake Elsinore area. A total of 23 suspects were arrested during the bust and over $4,000 worth of stolen merchandise was found. 

The 23 suspects were arrested for over 40 charges. Six suspects qualified for Prop 36 felony charges related to prior theft and or drug-related offenses, authorities said.

The suspects were identified as:

• Brian Roman-Penaloza, 20, of Perris, outstanding warrant
• Heidi Thaler, 20, of Lake Elsinore, possession of drug paraphernalia
• Cory Miller, 21, Lake Elsinore, two outstanding warrants
• Jasmine Perez, 22, of Perris, outstanding warrant
• Erick Santiago, 28, of Perris, shoplifting
• Summer Sandell, 28, of Lake Elsinore, outstanding warrant
• Sadie Myers, 30, of Lake Elsinore, six outstanding warrants, resisting arrest
• Leonard Price, 30, of Jurupa Valley, shoplifting
• Jasmonae Cardin, 30, of Wildomar, shoplifting
• Ashley McBee, 31, of Lake Elsinore, petty theft, outstanding warrant
• Ariana Mejia, 31, of Moreno Valley, shoplifting, petty theft with priors (Prop 36)
• James Illies, 32, of Menifee, no-bail parole warrant
• Stephanie Hedman, 36, Yorba Linda, petty theft, theft with priors (Prop 36)
• Joe Ortega, 37, of Perris, charged with burglary, shoplifting
• Richard Staley, 39, of Lake Elsinore, petty theft
• Esteban Hernandez, 41, of Lake Elsinore, three outstanding warrants
• Clarissa Waltman, 41, of Lake Elsinore, five outstanding warrants
• Kristen Tucker, 43, of Hemet, shoplifting, conspiracy, possession of a dangerous drug, petty theft with priors, drug possession priors (both Prop 36), and three outstanding warrants
• Donald Loudermilk, 47, of Menifee, commercial burglary, conspiracy, petty theft with priors (Prop 36)
• Macario Lopez, 49, of Menifee, fugitive warrant out of Arizona
• Christopher Manzo, 58, Lake Elsinore, four outstanding warrants
• Rosemarie Kerr, 58, of Lake Elsinore, grand theft, petty theft with priors (Prop 36)
• Carl Millsom, 65, Lake Elsinore, shoplifting, petty theft with priors (Prop 36)

No further details were released as the thefts remain under investigation. 

Anyone with additional information can call Deputies Noel or Castro at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station at 951-245-3300.

Business owners and residents are encouraged to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff’s Dispatch at 951-776-1099 or 911 for emergencies.