RivCo Family Arrested In Organized Retail Theft Ring Spanning SoCal

TEMECULA, CA—What started as a Temecula business theft ended with the bust of a family-operated retail ring spanning Southern California, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department announced Friday.

Four family members — 50-year-old Thomas Balandran, 48-year-old Sherri Alvarez, 19-year-old Brianna Balandran, and a 17-year-old juvenile —are suspected in 10 retail thefts across Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties, according to sheriff's officials.

"In total, the suspects were responsible for over $7,000.00 in loss, and it is believed there are additional unidentified incidents of theft," the sheriff's department said in a written statement. "The investigation led deputies to additional residences believed to be involved in knowingly buying stolen goods with the intent to resell them for profit, also known as 'fencing.'”

The investigation began on April 24 when deputies from the Southwest Sheriff's Station responded to the 32100 block of Temecula Parkway, where a crew made off with $1,000 in merchandise.

"It was learned that the same suspects were also responsible for several other thefts at other Southern California retail stores," the sheriff's department announced.

On May 13, detectives located the suspects and served a search warrant in the 6800 block of Valley Way in Jurupa Valley. During the search, deputies located a large amount of merchandise from the retailers with tags still affixed as well as narcotics, according to the sheriff's department.

The next day, deputies served two more search warrants in Moreno Valley in connection with the case and recovered more than $3,000.00 of additional stolen merchandise, according to investigators.

The three adult suspects were booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center on suspicion of organized retail theft, burglary, conspiracy, and grand theft. The juvenile was released to a family member, and charges will be filed with juvenile probation.

Additionally, Thomas Balandran was on probation for grand theft at the time of his arrest and faces additional charges including violation of probation and drug-related offenses, authorities announced.

Anyone with additional information about the operation is urged to call Deputy Christina Weber of the Southwest Station at 951-696- 3133.