May 14, 2025: District Attorney Hochman Announces Aggressive Actions to Prevent and Prosecute Retail Theft

Over 1,000 Proposition 36 felony theft charges filed against repeat offenders

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman today announced aggressive actions to protect local businesses, deter retail theft and restore public safety in communities, including ramping up joint operations with law enforcement against organized criminals and filing over 1,000 Proposition 36 felony theft charges against repeat offenders.

"Ending the cycle of catch-and-release that sent serial retail thieves back on the streets to reoffend is a top priority," said District Attorney Hochman. "My office has zero tolerance for criminals who flagrantly flout the law and repeatedly steal from local businesses, subjecting store owners, employees, customers and community members to fear and violence. I thank the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles Police Department, California Highway Patrol, and our other law enforcement and retail partners for their collaboration in holding those who victimize local businesses accountable. Criminals stand warned: If you attempt to steal from Los Angeles County businesses, you will be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

Proposition 36

California voters overwhelmingly passed the ballot measure Proposition 36 in November 2024 to strengthen penalties against repeat retail theft offenders. Before Proposition 36, petty thefts under $950 could only be classified as misdemeanors and thefts could not be aggregated to meet the felony threshold, creating a cycle of cite and release that encouraged retail theft and a culture of impunity.

Since Proposition 36 went into effect on Dec. 18, 2024, the Office has filed over 1,000 felony petty theft or shoplifting charges against individuals with two or more prior theft convictions under California Penal Code § 666.1, including against an individual with 11 prior felony arrests and 34 bench warrants. Read more about Proposition 36 here.

"Retail theft isn't petty-it affects jobs, safety, and the viability of neighborhood businesses. The LAPD is committed to making Los Angeles a place where retailers feel secure, and communities can thrive. To business owners: We hear you, and we're acting. To repeat offenders: The days of impunity are over. We thank our partners in the DA's office, Attorney General's office, and the private sector for helping us deliver real accountability," said Captain Francis Boateng, Commanding Officer, LAPD Commercial Crimes Division.

Proposition 36 felony cases include:

• Corry Summerville (dob 8/12/86). Case 25ARCF00543. Charged with 12 felony counts of petty theft or shoplifting with two prior convictions (priors) for allegedly committing theft from the same 7-Eleven store in West Los Angeles on 12 separate occasions between January and March 2025. Summerville had two prior misdemeanor petty theft convictions and was on probation at the time of these incidents; he was ordered to stay away from the store as a condition of probation. Summerville is also charged with one felony count of robbery for allegedly using force against a 7-Eleven employee while taking property on June 9, 2022. The case is being investigated by LAPD's West Los Angeles Division.
• Jeffrey Majers (dob 12/18/69). Case 25VWCF00109. Charged with one felony count of petty theft or shoplifting with two priors for stealing from a Nordstrom Rack in North Hollywood in January. Majers had five prior felony theft convictions, including a prior strike for first-degree residential burglary. A pretrial conference is set for June 10. The case is being investigated by LAPD's North Hollywood Division.
• Fered Yaghsaeian (dob 5/27/76). Case 25VWCF00105. Charged with one felony count of petty theft or shoplifting with two priors. Yaghsaeian had five prior felony convictions that include grand theft in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. He is accused of stealing items from a Macy's in Sherman Oaks in January. A pretrial conference is set for May 28. The case is being investigated by LAPD's Van Nuys Division.
• Matthew Murillo (dob 6/1/99). Case 25BFCF00077. Charged with felony petty theft or shoplifting with two priors after stealing from a Walgreens in Bellflower in late January. Murillo had 11 prior felony arrests, 34 bench warrants, and three prior convictions for felony carrying dirk/dagger, misdemeanor shoplifting and petty theft. He pleaded no contest to felony petty theft and was sentenced to 16 months in county jail. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Lakewood Station.
• Edward Galicia (dob 2/4/76). Case 25TRCF00063. Charged with felony petty theft or shoplifting with two priors after he stole items from a Shoe Palace in Torrance in mid-January. He had multiple prior felony convictions for second-degree burglary, driving/taking vehicle without consent, and misdemeanor convictions for petty theft. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 16 months in jail. The case was investigated by the Torrance Police Department.

"When a store is repeatedly targeted or a theft turns violent, it does more than hurt the business. It makes you wonder if it's safe to send your kids in. It makes you worry that someone could get caught in the middle. And it makes you feel like no one is in charge. Our job as leaders is to restore trust by making sure people feel safe, are safe, and know that accountability matters," said Los Angeles Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, 5th District.

Organized Retail Theft

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office (LADA) partners with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute retail theft. Specialized prosecutors and investigators from the Office's Organized Crime Division and Bureau of Investigation are dedicated to combating retail crimes, from serial shoplifters to smash-and-grabs to large-scale criminal enterprises. LADA investigators participate in joint operations with regional retail theft task forces led by the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the California Highway Patrol and other law enforcement coalitions. LADA prosecutors work closely with law enforcement to build cases that can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

"LASD Organized Retail Theft Crime Task Force in collaboration with the District Attorney's Office is strategically leveraging the provisions of Proposition 36 to hold retail theft repeat offenders accountable," said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Detective Division Chief Joe Mendoza. "While Proposition 36 promotes necessary criminal justice reform, it also allows us to focus resources on serious, organized theft operations that harm our communities. Together with our retail partners and District Attorney prosecutors, we are committed to ensuring public safety and protecting local businesses from the growing threat of retail crime. By focusing on serious, repeat offenders involved in organized retail crime, we're able to target the most harmful criminal networks without over-penalizing low-level offenders. Together, we're working to keep neighborhoods safe, support local businesses, and ensure a smarter, fairer approach to public safety."

Since January 2025, LADA prosecutors have filed cases involving millions of dollars in stolen merchandise based on successful law enforcement operations, including the following cases:

• Alexandro Mojico (dob 3/18/86), Jacqueline Galicia (dob 5/6/98), Hertsel Enayati (dob 2/4/52). Charged with 28 felony counts, including organized retail grand theft, grand theft, second-degree robbery, and receiving stolen property, for an alleged organized retail theft operation to steal and sell circuit breakers and other electrical items from Home Depot and Lowes in 2023 and 2024. The items are valued at nearly $42,000. The operation spanned cities across Los Angeles County, including Lakewood, Pomona, City of Industry, Burbank, Alhambra, Paramount, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Cerritos, West Hills, Inglewood and Gardena. The case is being investigated by CHP's Organized Retail Crime Task Force.
• Jose Victor (dob 9/20/69), Maria Muniz Zaragoza (dob 6/2/74), Cristian Zaragoza (dob 3/30/92). Case 25DWCF00431. Charges include felony organized retail grand theft, receiving stolen property, and possession of stolen property taken from a retail business. The trio are accused of running a fencing operation of stolen merchandise out of their home and two business in South Gate. Items were suspected of being stolen from various retail stores and cargo thefts. The total amount of losses exceeds $1 million. The affected retailers include Nike, Navy Exchange, Proctor & Gamble, CVS, Nordstrom and Target. The next court date is set for July 8. The case is being investigated by the LASD Organized Retail Crime Task Force.

• Norma Rodas (dob 9/28/64), Krystal Harris (dob 10/30/03), Kaia Sandridge (dob 12/14/00). Case 25CJCF02279. Charges include possessing stolen property, organized retail theft and grand theft. The trio allegedly stole over $1 million in merchandise from Ulta Beauty, CVS, Kroger, Target, HY-V stores in Calabasas, Palmdale and Lancaster. A preliminary hearing setting for Rodas is scheduled for May 23. The case is being investigated by the LASD Organized Retail Crime Task Force.

• Khaled Ahmed (dob 11/10/61), Sandra Cervantes (dob 8/13/72). Case 25CJCF02274. Charged with felony receiving stolen property and possession for sale of a controlled substance. The pair are accused of running a fencing operation of stolen items out of their Marina del Rey home and two businesses in downtown Los Angeles. Investigators recovered merchandise valued at $19,200 and $1.3 million in cash. Affected retailers include CVS, Ralphs, Target, Bath and Body Works, Macy's, Kroger, Walgreens and Nordstrom. Merchandise included controlled substances and other pharmaceuticals. Arraignment is set for May 28. The case is being investigated by the LASD Organized Retail Crime Task Force.

• Blanca Escobar (dob 9/18/59). Case 25CJCF01607. Escobar is charged with receiving over $350,000 in stolen merchandise from retailers including Target, Macy's, TJ Maxx, CVS, and Walgreens at her business near MacArthur Park. Read the news release and view photos of the seized items here. Arraignment is set for May 22. The case is being investigated by LAPD's Rampart Division.

The charges filed in all open cases are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Retail Theft Task Force Warning Decals

LADA is providing 10,000 warning decals to Los Angeles County retailers to send a clear message that our office will prosecute those who steal from local businesses to the full extent of the law. Retailers can contact their local law enforcement to request a decal. Learn more at: https://da.lacounty.gov/operations/retailtheft.