By Gina Yarbrough
Carlsbad, CA–The Carlsbad Police Department has apprehended a suspect involved in a series of organized retail thefts at the Carlsbad Premium Outlets.
The arrest was made possible by the dedicated efforts of Officer Puliafico and the Crime Suppression Team, led by Sergeant Jencen. Their meticulous investigative work, in partnership with regional law enforcement agencies and the use of advanced technology, played a key role in solving this complex case, the Carlsbad Police Department said in a news release Thursday.
Officer Puliafico spent several weeks investigating multiple grand theft incidents targeting high-end retail stores at the Carlsbad Premium Outlets. The investigation began after two thefts where suspects used a distinctive “booster bag” to conceal stolen merchandise. The officer reviewed surveillance footage and identified the same booster bag used frequently by various suspects during additional thefts.
Leveraging License Plate Reader (LPR) data, Officer Puliafico identified a suspect vehicle linked to several unsolved grand theft cases in Carlsbad and Orange County. The vehicle’s consistent presence near crime scenes and involvement in other thefts at the Carlsbad Premium Outlets provided crucial evidence connecting the cases.
The investigation revealed that the suspect vehicle’s travel patterns were consistent with those involved in organized criminal activities. With this information, Officer Puliafico coordinated with regional law enforcement agencies, obtained a search warrant, and conducted surveillance operations. This strategic approach allowed officers to monitor the suspect’s movements, ultimately leading to his capture.
On August 16, Carlsbad Police officers, under the leadership of Officer Puliafico, executed a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle, resulting in the arrest of 38-year-old Jose Miguel Gonzalez of Lake Elsinore. Gonzalez is believed to be the ringleader of an organized retail theft crew responsible for stealing over $30,000 worth of merchandise from the Carlsbad Outlets alone. He was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on seven counts of organized retail theft and criminal conspiracy.
