Two women, one teen arrested after twice loading up a shopping
cart and exiting store without paying
By Kristen Munson Staff Writer and James Mohs Chief Photographer
Gilroy – Call it a felony family affair.
Two adult females from Salinas and one of the women’s teen-age daughters were arrested Thursday morning after a brazen heist outside Kohl’s – loading up a shopping cart not once, but twice with stolen goods before trying to flee the parking lot. The 6-year-old daughter of one of the mother’s was almost left at the scene when the three tried to evade arrest, police said.
“It was pretty brazen of them to go back into the store,” said officer Dave Aceves.
Video surveillance at Kohl’s captured Maria Guerrero, 37, and her friend 25-year-old Monica Elvira Rivera Salinas leaving the store with the two children and unpaid clothing items about 11am. Store security was notified and Gilroy Police Detectives Mitch Madruga and Dan Zen, who were nearby in an unmarked car, set up a surveillance on the women.
After unloading the items, the women returned to the store with an empty cart.
“At that point they had eyes inside and outside the store,” explained Sgt. John Sheedy.
Kohl’s employees who asked to remain anonymous, estimated that about $3,000 of merchandise was stolen.
Guerrero’s 13-year-old daughter accompanying the women into the store was helping carry out items and was discovered with a purse containing a six-inch ice pick. Police are uncertain whether the purse is hers or not.
After the women returned to their vehicle with the second load, pushing the 6-year-old inside the cart, officers moved to apprehend the suspects.
Guerrero, Rivera and the teen briefly attempted to flee on foot, leaving the 6-year-old in the basket.
The 13-year-old was cited for burglary and later released on Guerrero’s request to Mary Chavez, the driver of the vehicle who was apparently unaware of the theft. She is the girlfriend of Guerrero’s cousin and was still inside the store shopping when the arrests occurred. Chavez took Guerrero’s 6-year-old daughter at the scene.
Both Guerrero and Rivera were arrested on suspicion of burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary – both felony offenses, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and aiding and abetting a juvenile in a crime. Rivera was arrested with an additional charge after lying to police about her identity.
“Upon viewing the videotape it would make you sick that two adults would involve and encourage a child in this activity,” Sheedy said.
Kohl’s will press charges. Both Guerrero and Rivera were booked and taken to Santa Clara County Jail.
