$20K In Merchandise Stolen By Organized Retail Theft Ring

RESTON, VA — Seven people who were part of a retail theft ring that stole more than $20,000 worth of merchandise from a home improvement retailer in Reston were arrested by the Fairfax County Police Department.

Security personnel at the Home Depot in the 1600 block of Reston Parkway in Reston contacted police around 4:51 p.m. on July 19 about multiple people in the store stealing merchandise, according to the incident report.

Officers arrived at the store and arrested 27-year-old Roberto Hernandez Cruz of Ashburn, according to police. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division also responded to the scene to take charge of the investigation.

Working closely with Home Depot's asset protection team, investigators determined that Hernandez Cruz and six others were part of an organized theft crew linked to additional thefts at the store extending back to June, according to reports. The investigation revealed that the crew had visited the store over 20 times to steal various tools.

Detectives and the store's asset protection team connected the following suspects to more than $20,000 worth of stolen merchandise from the Home Depot.

• Cristian Rivas Tiquiram, 24, of an undetermined address, was charged with 12 counts of petit larceny, eight counts of grand larceny, four counts of larceny with intent to sell, and conspire to commit organized retail theft. He was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and was held without bond. Rivas Tiquiram was arraigned on July 29 in Fairfax General District Court and his preliminary hearing was scheduled for Oct. 1, according to court records.
• Roberto Hernandez Cruz, 27, of Ashburn was charged with four counts of grand larceny, three counts of petit larceny, and two counts of larceny with intent to sell. He was taken to the ADC and released on a $6,500 bond. Hernandez Cruz was arrested on July 19 and has an Oct. 1 preliminary hearing in Fairfax General District Court, according to court records
• Diego Canjura Ramirez, 18, of an undetermined address was charged with two counts of petit larceny, two counts of grand larceny, and larceny with Intent to sell. After being taken to the ADC, he was released on a $2,500 bond. Canjura Ramirez was arrested on July 13 and has a preliminary hearing in Fairfax General District Court on Oct. 1, court records say.
• Junior Gonzalez Coello, 30, of Herndon was charged with two counts of grand larceny and two counts of petit larceny. He was taken to the ADC and was released on a $17,000 bond. After Gonzalez Coello was arrested on July 27, he was arraigned on July 28, court records say. He's due back in Fairfax General District Court for a Sept. 30.
• Leslie Argueta Medina, 23, of Herndon was charged with grand larceny, larceny with Intent to sell, and conspire to commit larceny. She was taken to the ADC and held on a $1,000 bond. Argueta Medina was arrested on Aug. 8, arraigned in Fairfax General District Court on Aug. 11, and has a preliminary hearing set for Nov. 25, according to court records.
• Cristian Hernandez Mejia, 39, of Herndon was charged with four counts of grand larceny and two counts of larceny with intent to Sell. He was held without bond at the ADC. Arrested on July 31, Hernandez Mejia was arraigned Aug. 1 in Fairfax General District court, according to court records. His preliminary hearing was schedule for Sept. 23.
• The 17-year-old juvenile was charged with two counts of petit larceny.

Conspiring to commit organized retail theft is a Class 3 felony, which is punishable by a prison sentence of five to 20 years and a fine of up to $100,000, under the Code of Virginia.

Anyone who may have information about these incidents is asked to call the Reston Police Station at 703-478-0904 and ask to speak with a detective. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web –Click HERE. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App and follow the steps to “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000. Leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you.