5 people arrested for stealing sunglasses totaling $40,000 at Valley Plaza shopping center

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) – Five people have been arrested – and three are still at large – in connection with thefts from Sunglass Hut that totaled more than $40,000, according to Bakersfield police.

On the night of May 20, three people entered the Macy's at Valley Plaza Shopping Center, went to the Sunglass Hut and grabbed designer sunglasses. They fled after pepper-spraying loss prevention personnel, police said.

In total, approximately 52 pairs of sunglasses, worth $15,000, were stolen.

An Organized Retail Theft Detail detective has identified three suspects from a previous theft that occurred on May 17. During that theft, the suspects made off with 49 pairs of sunglasses worth more than $17,000, police said.

Authorities have issued arrest warrants for Natalie Saucedo, 28, Veronica Alvarez, 29, and Richard Gann, 29. They remain at large, the BPD said.

Detectives also identified two suspected conspirators in the May 17 robbery. Nathan Perry and Carrissa Jaquez, both 33, were arrested on charges related to organized retail theft.

Through their investigation, authorities also learned that the stolen goods were being sold at the Smoke Shop, located in the 1900 block of Beale Avenue. Detectives executed a search warrant and found 21 pairs of stolen sunglasses worth $8,096, BPD said.

BPD also seized the following items during the search:

• 103 cosmetic products allegedly stolen from Rite Aid and Walgreens
• 339 cannabis vapes
• 35 containers of THC wax
• 11 THC Edibles
• 19 grams of methamphetamine
• Springfield XD45 Handgun

Adam Gonzales, 29, Raul Cortes, 31, and Joseph Casillas, 28, were arrested on suspicion of offenses related to organized retail theft, possession of a firearm and illegal sale of cannabis.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the other suspects is asked to call BPD at 661-327-7111.