By SDCN Editor
El Cajon, CA–El Cajon police apprehended a man suspected of stealing $4,000 worth of goods from a Food 4 Less store in East County.
Detectives arrested 39-year-old Carlos Lee Tovar, of unincorporated El Cajon, and booked him into the San Diego County Central Jail on charges of organized retail theft, grand theft, and conspiracy, El Cajon Police Department said in a news release.
Over one month, the suspect committed at least eleven thefts at the Food 4 Less store at 444 Broadway Avenue in El Cajon. The suspect repeatedly entered the store, concealed groceries, toiletries, and health products, and left without paying, investigators said.
According to El Cajon police, the suspect’s vehicle license plate was captured on surveillance footage. By matching the footage with vehicle registration records, a detective identified the suspect as Tovar. Further investigation revealed that Tovar had been selling the stolen merchandise. His license plate was added to the El Cajon Police Department’s Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) system. On May 9, the system alerted officers that Tovar’s vehicle was traveling southbound on North Mollison Avenue. A patrol officer located and stopped the vehicle. Tovar was confirmed as the driver and was taken into custody.
