Organized theft ring caught in the act at Target

REDLANDS - Police believe they have made an arrest leading to the top of an organized theft ring.

On Friday, Redlands police received a call from the Target store at 27320 W. Lugonia Ave., reporting a theft in progress.

Officers set up a perimeter around the store while Target security officers gave them details about men they suspected of shoplifting.

According to a report released by police spokesman Carl Baker, police learned that San Bernardino resident Henry Llerena, 22, hid 14 video games inside other merchandise and put the merchandise on a shelf in the store. Llerena then left the store.

Police Chief Jim Bueermann and Lt. Rogelio Garcia were watching the store from the outside. Bueermann said he was in a vehicle not easily recognizable as a police car.

"The suspects had split up," Bueermann said. "They were conducting what's called counter-surveillance. They were looking to see if we were watching them."