AUSTIN, Texas — Four people have been arrested in connection with an organized retail theft operation involving approximately $57,000 worth of stolen merchandise from 40 different retailers.
The Austin Police Department said its North Metro Tactical Response Unit began investigating the thefts last month.
An organized retail crime investigator with Victoria’s Secret identified three people in connection with more than a dozen high-value thefts in the Austin area “that resulted in significant losses to the company,” APD said. Additional thefts were attributed to this group in Central Texas.
Police arrested 20-year-old Sofia Hernandez, 24-year-old Angelica Chavez, 37-year-old Joe Garcia and 30-year-old Lisa Vasquez for theft-related offenses.
Police also executed search warrants at two residential properties, seizing approximately 2,000 pieces of suspected stolen retail merchandise from more than 40 different retailers, with an approximate value of $57,000. A stolen handgun was also recovered.
Hernandez, Chavez and Garcia face multiple counts of felony theft, while Garcia also faces a charge of robbery by threat and Vasquez is charged with a felony count of organized retail theft.
Anyone with any additional information on the case is asked to contact Capital Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477.
