Irvine, Calif. (Aug. 25, 2017) – The Irvine Police Department has arrested two women who shoplifted approximately $5,000 worth of merchandise from a local Ralphs store as well as other locations. Detectives are now seeking to return unclaimed property.
On Aug. 17, officers responded to a report that two women stole several bags full of baby formula from the Ralphs store at Sand Canyon Avenue and Irvine Boulevard. Two hours later, another officer made a traffic stop near the intersection of Bake Parkway and Rockfield Boulevard. The driver of the vehicle, Juana Fuentez, 23, of Los Angeles was holding a large trash bag filled with shampoo products in her lap. The officer also observed trash bags filled with baby formula in the back seat of the vehicle. The other woman in the car was identified as Kishonna Taylor, 20. The vehicle and license plate the suspects were in matched the description given in the shoplifting incident earlier in the day at Ralphs.
Consent was given to search the car, at which time the officer located 20 trash bags filled with toothpaste, shampoo, baby formula and other items. The suspects admitted to stealing items from the Irvine Ralphs, as well as CVS and Ralphs stores in Foothill Ranch. Both Fuentez and Taylor were arrested at the scene.
Much of the stolen property has been returned, however there are still items that have not been claimed. Anyone with information on where the items were stolen from or who has additional details in this case is asked to contact Detective Matt Ricci at 949-724-7189 or mricci@cityofirvine.org.