By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–A 27-year-old man who went on a stealing rampage in South County has been sentenced to six years in state prison on multiple felony counts of organized retail theft and robbery, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said Wednesday.
Edgar Figueroa pleaded guilty on March 28 to two counts of organized retail theft and one count of robbery for his role in stealing $16,300 in shoes and other merchandise from the Nike store at the Las Americas Premium Outlets, Dick’s Sporting Goods in Chula Vista and Burlington in Chula Vista on multiple dates in February. Figueroa also pleaded guilty to one count of organized retail theft for his role in stealing an additional $3,050 worth of merchandise from the Nike store in Carlsbad in January.
“The era of chronic theft in San Diego County is coming to an end and it is high time for thieves to be held accountable under the law,” DA Stephan said. “Thanks to the passage of Proposition 36, we don’t have to stand by while businesses suffer under the crushing weight of repeat theft that steals their livelihood and threatens the safety of their employees and customers.”
Figueroa’s theft spree came to an end on March 16, when he was loading up merchandise in a duffel bag at Dick’s Sporting Goods and he was recognized as a chronic thief. An employee called Chula Vista Police who responded quickly to detain Figueroa, who was a wanted suspect identified in a robbery that happened at Burlington on February 17. On that date, Figueroa worked with three other suspects to steal $1,684 worth of merchandise. He pointed a firearm at an employee who inquired about the stolen merchandise and his accomplice threatened the employee with a Taser.
Figueroa led a crew of at least six suspects who helped commit each theft. On several occasions, the thieves attempted to change their appearance when returning to stores they had previously targeted. Thanks to the diligence of store employees and law enforcement, the remaining suspects have been identified and are being prosecuted for their roles in the theft ring.
Deputy District Attorney Gentre Martinez prosecuted this case.
