Organized retail theft ring goes to court

TEMECULA, Calif. -- Another member of an eight-person crew that allegedly stole and resold expensive women's clothing and lingerie pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of burglary and receiving stolen property.

The crew is accused of swiping about $60,000 worth of merchandise a week over the past year. Justin McRoberts, 23, of Yucaipa, pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of burglary and two counts of receiving stolen property. He was ordered back to court May 30 for a felony settlement conference. The alleged crew ringleader, Jose "Ben" Perez, 47, of South Gate, who allegedly handled the logistics of the heists, and four of the alleged shoplifters all pleaded not guilty Wednesday to the same counts. Appearing in court with Perez on Wednesday were Carolyn Margaret Arnold, 21; Geneva Anne Collins, 23; Tabitha Ann Lowe, 25; and Aaron Thomas Pryor, 22.

A preliminary hearing was tentatively set for May 6 for all six defendants.

All of the suspects in custody -- except for Perez, who has a no-bail immigration hold and has been deported back to Mexico at least once in the past -- are being held in lieu of $150,000 bail.

According to police, Perez has an extensive criminal record.

A husband-and-wife team who allegedly made lists of clothing to steal, then bought the merchandise stolen by other members of the ring and resold it at discount prices around the region were also arrested but posted bail and were expected to appear in court at a later date.

The ring was a highly organized crew that worked to spirit expensive clothing, makeup and lingerie out of high-end stores at malls in San Diego, Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties, according to Temecula police Lt. Scot Collins.

Each member of the crew played a part -- ranging from stuffing shopping bags that were taken to the stores, to distracting employees so others could escape with stolen goods without being detected, police said.

Information on the crew first came to light April 12, when security personnel at a Macy's store at The Promenade in Temecula called about some shoplifters, Collins said.