Two-year-old Ross shoplifting ring busted

San Diego Union Tribune
By Pauline Repard
January 7, 2011

A sophisticated shoplifting ring that targeted Ross stores around the county for the past two years, and stole an estimated $300,000 in goods, was broken up with the arrests of five San Marcos residents, sheriff’s officials said Thursday.

Investigators who had staked out an Encinitas Ross store Wednesday night stopped the five men and women in two vehicles packed with about $6,000 worth of stolen goods, said sheriff’s Sgt. Tom Poulin.

Detectives then seized some 3,000 items, including brand-name purses, jeans, shoes and children’s clothes with store tags on, from one San Marcos home and from a mobile storage box at the Oceanside Swap Meet, Poulin said.

Detectives used a 15-foot-long evidence truck to haul away all the confiscated goods, including some Christmas decorations still in bags. They also seized four cars and SUVs from the suspects.

Arrested on felony charges were suspected ringleader, Heriberto Tolentino, 42; William Cruz, 26; Benita Rubio, 46’ Maria Oros, 45; and Diana Palazios, 37, Poulin said.

He said all five are Mexican nationals in the United States illegally.

“It is possible the activities of this highly organized retail theft organization could reach beyond the boundaries of San Diego County,â€