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Bay Area authorities dismantle suspected retail theft ring after 100 robberies

A brazen theft ring met its end after months of plundering Northern California stores. How investigators tracked down the suspects—and what they found.

The image shows a poster with the words "Thieves & Burglars Pinkerton's Police" written in bold...
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Bay Area authorities dismantle suspected retail theft ring after 100 robberies

Authorities in the San Francisco Bay Area said they busted a suspected retail theft crew allegedly linked to nearly 100 thefts across Northern California and Nevada.

On Monday, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office said they made four arrests after deputies conducted several searches in San Jose last week. The agency's High Impact Team said they recovered more than $83,000 in stolen merchandise stolen from The Home Depot, TJ Maxx and Burlington.

Photos shared by the sheriff's office showed some of the recovered items, including power tools and bags filled with new clothing.

Deputies said the items were resold at flea markets in San Jose and Oakland. The total loss to retailers was more than $100,000.

"We won't stop pursuing those who steal from our community businesses," the sheriff's office said in a statement.

The suspects arrested have been identified as 24-year-old Emerson Perez, 24-year-old Isaac Perez, 61-year-old Teodulo Aguirre and 30-year-old Sergio Rodriguez. All four men were booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of retail theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy.

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