A SHOPLIFTER has been accused of terrorizing retailers for months and stealing thousands of dollars from well-known brands.
Cuauhtemoc Ramirez, 20, and his unknown accomplices allegedly stole more than $100,000 from Walgreens, Safeway and other stores throughout California, according to prosecutors.
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“Prolific, brazen and organized retail thieves will be vigorously prosecuted; there will be accountability and the perpetrators will face consequences,” said San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, according to the CW affiliate. KRON-TV
Ramirez and the criminal gang allegedly targeted several stores, including Walgreens, Safeway, ZGO Perfumery, Smart & Final, BevMo and Lenscrafters.
Prosecutors say they targeted stores between December 2023 and April this year.
In addition to the robbery, Ramirez was accused of vandalizing property and using “threats of force and fear” on multiple occasions, according to prosecutors.
A complaint filed against the accused thief also alleges that two incidents of robbery occurred while he was released from custody on another crime.
Ramirez was arrested and charged in two separate cases on May 13.
The alleged criminal was accused of:
- Three counts of robbery
- Seven counts of organized retail theft
- 23 counts of commercial robbery
- 23 counts of robbery
- 11 counts of vandalism
- One count of attempted commercial robbery
- One count of shoplifting
He pleaded not guilty and denied all charges made against him.
His next trial is scheduled for June 10 and he will remain in prison until trial.
Jenkins’ office said he posed a risk to public safety, leading the court to not set bond for Ramirez.
At the moment, the police are still looking for the other members of Ramirez’s criminal group, responsible for the robberies.
“My office will continue to partner with the San Francisco Police Department on this matter and will do everything we can to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible,” said Jenkins,
BABY BUST
More retailers are being hit by major thefts across the country.
Walmart was recently targeted after Edgar S. Ramirez, Nora Y. Zarate and a young man from Dallas, Texas were arrested after being accused of stealing 576 containers of baby formula.
“We removed all occupants from the vehicles and detained them until my partner noticed a substantial amount of baby formula,” Sergeant Seth Kyle told the NBC affiliate. WFIE in March.
Walmart employees called police and reported that the group had stolen baby formula and were leaving the parking lot.
They were arrested less than a mile from the road with $22,495 worth of baby formula.
Police believe the three arrested may be part of a larger criminal gang.
“This is my first time working on any type of baby formula theft,” Kyle said.
“Usually people are looking for their high-end electronics or sometimes there are people who are klepts who want to steal.”
He explained that baby formula can easily be resold by thieves.
“Because the price of a can is honestly exorbitant, they will steal it and resell it,” Kyle said.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
