A shoplifting arrest at a Target store led Redlands Police over the weekend to a swap meet dealer believed to traffic in stolen merchandise worth at least tens of thousands of dollars.

On Friday, March 14, Redlands Police received a call from Target security of a theft in progress. As responding officers set up a perimeter around the store at 27320 W. Lugonia Ave., loss prevention officers kept them apprised of the actions of the suspects inside the store.

Police learned one subject, later identified as 22-year-old Henry Llerena, of San Bernardino, hid 14 video games inside other merchandise and put the merchandise on a shelf in the store. Llerena then left the store watched by Police Chief Jim Bueermann and Lt. Rogelio Garcia.

Another subject, identified as 23-year-old Joseph Hernandez, also of San Bernardino, selected the merchandise with the video games concealed inside and bought the merchandise without paying for the video games. When Rodriguez left the store, officers detained him.

When Chief Bueermann and Lt. Garcia attempted to detain Llerena, the suspect fled on foot but was apprehended by Chief Bueermann and Lt. Garcia.

Both suspects were arrested for burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary. During a search of the Llerena’s vehicle, officers also located items consistent with the sale of marijuana. Llerena was charged with possession of marijuana for sales.

Police developed information that video games and DVD movies stolen throughout the Inland Empire had been purchased by 32-year-old Daniel Herrera, a vendor at the San Bernardino Indoor Swap Meet, located at 1675 N. Mount Vernon Avenue in San Bernardino.

Police set up a controlled buy, in which Herrera believed he was purchasing stolen video games, which had been provided by Target investigators.

On Saturday, March 15, undercover officers observed the "stolen" video games on display in Herrera's shop at the swap meet. The undercover officers negotiated the purchase of four of the games. Officers then arrested Herrera and confiscated more than 1,000 new DVDs, video games, game systems, and game system components. The value of the confiscated items was well over $35,000.

Herrera was charged with the attempted possession of stolen property. He was later transported to County Jail.

The Redlands Police Department was aided in the investigation by Target Regional Investigators Jim Sturgess, Theresa Infusino and Jake Harris. This investigation was possible due to the partnership the Redlands Police Department has built with such companies as Target.

Organized retail theft has become a problem plaguing many companies throughout the nation. Last year, the FBI estimated organized retail theft cost businesses some $30 billion. Those costs are often passed on to consumers.

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