California Father-Daughter Duo Arrested in Theft Ring

Two individuals from Pennsylvania were arrested for stealing nearly $1,000 worth of items from a Walmart in Lewisburg. Felicia Marie Schmidt and Brandon M. Smith were identified through video surveillance and social media as they exited the store with stolen merchandise. In Southern California, a father-daughter duo, Johny Arciniegas-Cortes and Paula Arciniegas, were arrested for their involvement in a larger retail theft operation that allegedly stole $400,000 worth of goods. They, along with Jose Cuadra, who is suspected to be the leader of the operation, face multiple felony charges including grand theft and organized retail theft. The California Highway Patrol's Organized Retail Crime Task Force has been actively targeting such theft rings, with Governor Newsom recently announcing new laws to combat the rising issue of retail theft in the state. The crackdown has resulted in significant recoveries and arrests across California.