What looked like an ordinary taco shop turned into the center of a retail theft case that ended with a prison sentence after a months-long undercover operation.
A man has been sentenced to more than four years in prison after pleading guilty to Attempted Participation in Organized Retail Theft.
53-year-old Jose Martinez-Aguilar was arrested after detectives with the Regional Crime Suppression Unit and the Repeat Offender Program learned that Roberto’s at 4455 S. Virginia was operating as a fencing operation for stolen items. Investigators said Martinez-Aguilar owned the shop and was running the operation.
Detectives learned through their investigation that thieves were stealing merchandise from stores along the Virginia Street corridor and selling the items to Martinez-Aguilar and his employees. Loss-prevention officers at local retailers also developed information that supported the findings.
Home Depot, JCPenney, and TJX Companies provided merchandise and surveillance resources for an operation led by the Regional Crime Suppression Unit.
Using a confidential informant and an undercover officer, police sold the donated merchandise at the taco shop six times, presenting the items as stolen. Investigators said all of the merchandise had indicators showing it was stolen, including theft-detection devices (security tags) that were still attached.
Police said the undercover officer built a relationship with Martinez-Aguilar during which the defendant provided what officers described as shopping lists of items he wanted.
After search warrants were served at the business and Martinez-Aguilar's house, police said they found thousands of dollars in apparent stolen retail merchandise. Loss prevention personnel from 17 retailers identified the items as belonging to their stores. Investigators also said they found a cutting tool next to theft prevention devices that were allegedly removed from merchandise.
During sentencing, Chief Deputy District Attorney Matt Lee addressed the broader impact of organized retail theft on the community and consumers.
“Organized retail theft is not a victimless crime. It raises prices for consumers, harms legitimate businesses, and fuels other criminal activity,” said District Attorney Chris Hicks. “This sentence makes clear that those who profit from stolen goods will be held accountable, and my office will continue working with our partners to shut these operations down and protect our community.”
The sentence was imposed by Judge Kathleen Drakulich.
