Organized Retail Theft Ring Arrested: Targeted Ross, Burlington, and TJ Maxx Stores

Two San Bernardino County and two Orange County residents are suspected of stealing and “fencing” property from Ross, Burlington, and T.J. Maxx stores from throughout Southern California, including Ventura County.

A Ross Store Asset Protection employee called to report a theft that occurred on 01-15-26 in Port Hueneme. Two suspects, later identified as Francisco Gallardo-Chavez and Cervando Aguilera-Cardenas, were seen on surveillance video concealing multiple items on their persons.

The case was transferred to the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force. The VCORTTF Investigators identified the two theft suspects involved. Through additional surveillance, additional suspects were identified as “fences” for the stolen property.

As a result of the investigation, search warrants were served in San Bernardino and Orange Counties. As a result of the collaboration between allied agencies, three males and one female were arrested for charges related to organized retail theft.

VCORTTF Investigators and assisting agencies located an estimated $122,000.00 in stolen property. $40,000.00 in US currency was also located and seized along with an unregistered semi-automatic handgun. Ross Asset Protection estimated the suspects were extremely active, stealing throughout Southern California. The totals for those thefts are still being accumulated.

Francisco Gallardo-Chavez, Cervando Aguilera-Cardenas, Robert Godinez, and Silvia Villegas-Cruz were booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura on felony charges related to organized retail theft. When booked, all three suspects were being held on $750,000 bail.

On 03-20-26, all four suspects were arraigned in Ventura County Superior Court. Francisco Gallardo-Chavez was charged with 6 counts of 182(a)(1) PC – Conspiracy, and bail was reduced to $50,000. Cervando Aguilera-Cardenas was charged with 6 counts of 182(a)(1) PC – Conspiracy, and bail was reduced to $50,000. Robert Godinez was charged with 3 counts of 496(a) PC – Receiving stolen property, and 1 count of 182 PC – Conspiracy, bail was reduced to $50,000. Silvia Villegas-Cruz was charged with 3 counts of 496(a) PC – Receiving stolen property, and 1 count of 182 PC – Conspiracy, bail was reduced to $50,000.

The Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force was formed after the Sheriff’s Office was awarded grant funding under the California Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program. This program formalizes a coordinated effort, overseen by the Sheriff’s Office, involving all law enforcement agencies in Ventura County to prevent and combat the estimated $10 million yearly loss from organized retail theft, vehicle/vehicle parts theft, and cargo theft.

The task force is comprised of detectives from various agencies within Ventura County with the primary mission of combating organized retail theft, vehicle/vehicle parts theft, and cargo theft, which impact our businesses, citizens, and communities here in Ventura County. The task force aims to provide a safe environment for everyone while working closely with retailers, law enforcement agencies, and the public to identify, locate, and arrest the criminals involved in these types of crimes.

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