By Trend News Line 2024-03-27 20:38:04.
**Suspected Pickpockets Arrested After Targeting Customers in Irvine**
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A group of suspected pickpockets was apprehended by the Irvine police Department on Friday after allegedly targeting customers at a popular home furnishing store in Irvine, California. The arrests came following a series of recent thefts in the area, prompting officers to conduct surveillances on multiple shopping centers in the vicinity.
**Police Surveillance Leads to Arrest**
During the surveillance operation on Friday afternoon, officers observed a group consisting of two men and two women walking briskly towards a car parked near a HomeGoods store. The group displayed suspicious behavior by frequently looking over their shoulders, and one of the men was seen folding up a temporary license plate on the back of the vehicle, rendering it unreadable.
The officers decided to follow the car to the Irvine Spectrum, where they conducted a traffic stop. It was during this stop that law enforcement discovered a wallet that did not belong to any of the suspects, along with a magnetic device used for decoding credit card information.
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**Arrest and Charges**
The four individuals were subsequently arrested on suspicion of burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, grand theft, and possession of identity theft material. They were identified as Maria Beltran, 52, and Thonson Yeamier Gomezbarreto, 32, of North Hollywood, as well as Laidy Viviana Moraleon, 36, and William Alberto Melomontenegro, 38, of Los Angeles. The suspects were booked into Orange County Jail to await further legal proceedings.
**Recovery of Stolen Property**
The wallet found in the possession of the suspects was successfully returned to its rightful owner, and it was confirmed that the credit card contained within had not been used by the perpetrators.
**Security Footage and Additional Attempts**
In a bid to alert the public and potentially identify further victims, Irvine police released security footage showing the group attempting similar tactics on another customer at HomeGoods. The video captured one of the women distracting a shopper while one of the men attempted to pilfer items from her possession. Fortunately, this particular attempt was thwarted by the vigilant shopper.
**Conclusion**
The swift action taken by the Irvine Police Department in response to the recent spate of thefts highlights their dedication to protecting the community from criminal activities. The apprehension of the suspected pickpockets serves as a reminder to remain vigilant while out shopping and to report any suspicious behavior to law enforcement authorities promptly..
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