LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. — Two Ontario residents were arrested Thursday after months of retail cosmetics and clothing thefts in Lake Elsinore.
Giovanni Muñoz-Leon, 51, and Nuri Herrera, 32, are jailed on multiple felonies, including grand larceny, organized retail theft and conspiracy, according to jail records. Each was being held on bail of more than $50,000.
Munoz-Leon is being held at the Southwest Detention Center, while Herrera is currently being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility. She and Muñoz-Leon will appear in court Monday at the Murrieta Southwest Justice Center.
The investigation into the stolen beauty products began in August, but officers soon learned that beauty product thefts were occurring throughout the summer.
“On August 28, Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a cosmetics store in reference to a grand theft,” said Sgt. Robert Thomas said. Employees told deputies a man and a woman entered the store, selected $3,000 worth of items and left without paying.
“The Lake Elsinore Burglary/Burglary Team assumed the investigation and learned that the same suspect returned to the Lake Elsinore store on September 28, 2024 and stole an additional $2,000 worth of beauty products,” he said. said.
Investigators and detectives worked with the beauty store’s employees. Thomas said details of the investigation remain confidential, but investigators believe the suspects committed more than 50 similar retail thefts in California between June and October, totaling $123,000 worth of merchandise. Officials said they are considering it.
This is an ongoing investigation and further details are not available. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Deputy Chief Noel at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station at 951-245-3300.
