By Mike Hazlip—
Citrus Heights police on Wednesday announced the arrest of six people as part of a “Retail Theft Blitz” operation conduced on Dec. 1.
The undercover operation concentrated efforts near the 6100 block of San Juan Avenue where police said there have been a “high number of shoplifting incidents at these stores,” with photos posted on the Police Department’s social media page showing a Kohl’s store in the background. Both undercover and uniformed officers took part in the operation.
Police said “most” of those arrested had prior felonies and/or were on probation. Arrested were 29-year-old Hanna Hall Mortensen and 38-year-old Nailah Ebony Perkins, both of Citrus Heights, along with 36-year-old Christian Paul Pinedo of Mather, and 34-year-old Jennifer Patricia Sainz from Fair Oaks. Two people from San Jose were also arrested, 30-year-old April Marie Romo, and 37-year-old Sylvia Sainz, police said.
“The objective of these operations is to reduce retail thefts and hold those committing these crimes accountable for their actions,” a Dec. 6 news release said. Almost $2,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered over the course of several hours, police said.
Multiple agencies cooperated in the undercover operation aimed at reducing retail theft in the area. In addition to the Citrus Heights Police Department’s IMPACT unit, the California Highway Patrol’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force also took part in the operation.
The department plans to continue conducting similar operations throughout the city in an effort to deter and prevent thefts from Citrus Heights businesses, police said.
Investigations related to the Dec. 1 arrests are ongoing, and anyone with information related to the crimes is asked to call Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers tip hotline at (916) 443-HELP. Tips leading to an arrest may earn a cash reward, police said.
