Criminal charges against a Southern California woman for retail theft reached new heights after Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced the accused allegedly received over $350,000 of goods from major retailers.
Blanca Elsa Escobar, 65, was arrested and charged with receiving a massive amount of products stolen from retailers such as Macy’s, Target, CVS, and Walgreens, all allegedly held in her business near MacArthur Park.
DA Hochman said in a statement that authorities are combating retail theft in the area in an effort to help clean the area of crime.
“This case is an important step toward cleaning up MacArthur Park, a community that has long struggled with crime and safety concerns,” District Attorney Hochman said. “Combating organized retail theft in close partnership with LAPD and other law enforcement is a priority for my administration. My office will vigorously prosecute this case and send an unmistakable message to criminals: Retail theft will not be tolerated under my watch.”
The defendant, a resident of Los Angeles, was charged with eight felony counts, including receiving stolen property over $950 in value, and one misdemeanor count of conducting illegal gaming. According to the indictment, the nature of the indictment indicates the offenses were conducted with “planning, sophistication and professionalism.”
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said in an interview that detectives executed a search warrant at 2065 W. Sixth St. where a storefront was “receiving and selling stolen merchandise tied to organized retail theft.”
The Los Angeles Police had conducted an investigation into the alleged crime leading to the department obtaining a search warrant. LAPD officers from the Rampart Division executed the search warrant on March 5 and entered Escobar’s business. Her company is located across the street from MacArthur Park in the Westlake neighborhood of LA. She was arrested at the scene.
Officers seized about $360,000 in stolen merchandise on the premises. Authorities released photos of the plentiful merchandise inside the business, consisting of make-up, toiletries, clothing, and more from major retailers including CVS, Target, Walgreens, Kroger, Ross, TJ Maxx and Macy’s.
The officers also discovered an illegal slot machine on site.
Evidence shared by the LAPD shows organized shelves and bins overflowing with merchandise on the premises. Some of the alleged stolen merchandise has clear CVS branding marked, “Intended for sale at CVS Pharmacy” and massive amounts of items organized in shelved bins.
There were so many items in the business and stockroom that the LAPD had to rent a U-Haul truck to cart them away as evidence.
Escobar appeared in court recently, and her arraignment was set for May 22 in Dept. 30 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles. She was released from custody on her own recognizance and was ordered to appear for her next court date.
If convicted as charged, Escobar could face up to eight years and six months in prison.
