Authorities bust Bay Area-wide retail theft ring

$40,000 in suspected stolen merchandise seized at Pacifica home

PACIFICA — A pair of Pacifica residents has been arrested in connection with a Bay Area-wide organized retail theft ring, authorities said.

In a news release Thursday, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office said detectives with its Crime Suppression Unit conducted surveillance on 44-year-old Rudy Obdulio Rivera and 42-year-old Mercy Folgers Sandoval for two months after receiving a tip about the ring.

Detectives confirmed that stolen merchandise was being stored at Rivera’s home on Catalina Avenue, according to the Sheriff’s Office. On Monday, detectives served a search warrant at the home and found $40,000 in suspected stolen retail merchandise and $30,000 in suspected stolen property, including 25 laptop computers, purses and cameras.

The Sheriff’s Office said Rivera and Sandoval were arrested and booked into county jail on felony charges including organized retail theft, possession of stolen property and conspiracy.

Four other suspects were identified during the search. They weren’t at the home, but detectives are planning to obtain warrants for their arrest, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office said it is working to identify the rightful owners of the suspected stolen property. The suspected stolen merchandise, meanwhile, has been returned to the businesses.

Anyone with information about the ring can contact the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office anonymous tip line at 800-547-2700.