Bend Police completed an organized retail theft investigation with the arrest of a 29-year-old Bend resident who police say is the ring leader. A grand jury charged Rodriguez Molina with organized retail theft, a Class B felony. His next court date is scheduled for Sept. 24. At least 22 suspect involved in the thefts were arrested.
In January 2024, Bend Police investigated a shoplifting case at Winco Foods with five suspects. Officers began reviewing prior cases and similar calls for service in an effort to identify the suspects. During that review, officers connected multiple shoplifting and theft calls related to the shoplifting case at Winco.
Over the course of a months-long investigation, Bend Police identified at least 25 documented thefts from businesses throughout the City of Bend and involving 31 suspects ranging in age from 15 to 46.
Using video surveillance, officers were able to identify patterns, behaviors and tactics that indicated the thefts were planned and organized.
Those 25 documented thefts, occurring in late 2023 and early 2024, included more than $22,000 in stolen merchandise from retailers including Fred Meyer, Walmart, Winco, Dicks Sporting Goods, Sunglass Hut and Sportsman’s Warehouse. Bend Police believe there were additional thefts from retailers in Bend that were not reported or that have policies against reporting shoplifters to police. Additional thefts likely took place in other parts of Central Oregon as well.
Officers executed multiple search warrants over the course of this case at homes and hotel rooms throughout Bend, as well search warrants to access and analyze cell phone data. During those searches, they located dozens of stolen items, many of which were able to be connected directly to theft investigations. Some of that property was returned to those retailers.
