11 Arrested In Downtown Retail Theft Blitz

LOS ANGELES, CA — Police arrested nearly a dozen people suspected of ties to the organized retail theft ring plaguing businesses at the FIGat7th Plaza, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Monday.

Officers conducted a blitz operation at the shopping center on Sunday, leading to 11 arrests.

"Retail theft has plagued various businesses operating inside the FIGat7th Plaza located in the
area of 7th Street and Figueroa Street in Downtown Los Angeles," the LAPD announced. "To address this issue, law enforcement worked in conjunction with impacted retailers to conduct blitz operations.".

According to the LAPD, the 11 suspects arrested on suspicion of shoplifting are:

• 19-year-old Nicole Allman-Dean;
• 20-year-old Breajanika Johnson;
• 20-year-old Serlo Allyene;
• 21-year-old Nanely Esquivel;
• 24-year-old Parris Gregory;
• 28-year-old Donald Gregory;
• 33-year-old Ailena Vargas;
• 34-year-old Ted Newman;
• 37-year-old Gabriel Simmons;
• 47-year-old Ebony Holt; and,
• 57-year-old Jerry Ivory.

Several of the suspects were eligible for cite and release while others had pending warrants, according to the LAPD.

Anyone with information regarding organized retail theft is urged to call the LAPD Central Burglary Theft detectives at 877-527-3247.