3 men arrested in Home Depot store burglaries in Southern California

A Home Depot hardware store is seen on February 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Three people have been arrested in connection with a series of thefts at Home Depot stores in Southern California.

The suspects, all Los Angeles residents, were identified as:

• Christopher William Guerrero, 27
• Carlos Enrique Gonzales-Moreno, 28
• David Chala, 29

On May 16, officers responded to a “theft in progress” at a Home Depot in the 2700 block of Teller Road in Thousand Oaks.

Store security said four suspects took electrical components and placed the items in two shopping carts before fleeing the store without paying.

Officers were able to track down the thieves shortly afterward. Only three of the suspects were found. The fourth suspect fled the area and is still at large.

During the arrest, stolen merchandise worth thousands of dollars was recovered.

Authorities believe the group is responsible for stealing nearly $20,000 worth of merchandise from Home Depot stores throughout Ventura County, including in Oxnard, Camarillo and Thousand Oaks.

All three suspects were arrested for organized shoplifting. They are being held on $5,000 bail each. A court hearing is scheduled for May 30.

The thefts remain under investigation.

Anyone with further information is asked to call the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force at 805-383-8703.

Anonymous tips can be given to LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.