Coordinated response results in arrests of Los Angeles residents after theft spree 

May 26, 2024 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that three Los Angeles residents suspected of stealing from Target stores in Ventura County and Los Angeles County were arrested on various charges related to organized retail theft.

On May 22, 2024, patrol deputies from the Thousand Oaks and Camarillo stations responded to a “theft in progress” at the Target located in the 2700 block of Teller Road in Thousand Oaks.  Loss Prevention staff called to report two suspects who were seen placing multiple items in a large tote.  The two suspects were believed to have stolen merchandise from a different Target, minutes earlier, in Los Angeles County.

A quick and coordinated response by patrol deputies and Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force (VCORTTF) detectives resulted in the arrest of Nanyaba Wilson-Tyehhimba, Dion Damani Ford, and Miya Angel Grant.  The three suspects were located by deputies in a vehicle heading north on the 101 freeway, shortly after the Thousand Oaks theft.  Deputies found several thousand dollars worth of stolen alcohol, cosmetics, over-the-counter medication, and hygiene accessories in their possession.  Target employees estimated the three suspects were responsible for the theft of approximately $3,500 worth of merchandise from both Target stores.

Ford, Wilson-Tyehhimba, and Grant were booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura on a felony charge related to organized retail theft.  All three suspects posted bail and were released from custody.  They are scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on June 6, 2024, for arraignment.

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 combatting 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 hand in hand with retailers, law enforcement agencies and the public to identify, locate and arrest the criminals involved in these types of crimes.

Persons with information regarding organized retail theft, vehicle/vehicle parts theft or cargo theft are encouraged to call the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force’s recorded line at (805) 383-8703 or by calling the Crime Stoppers Tip Line (800) 222-TIPS (8477).  You can remain anonymous when calling either number.

Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Office