The Major Crimes team arrested two of the primaries from the organized rural-theft ring.

Last week, the Major Crimes Unit served warrants and made an additional arrest. The Major Crimes Unit has been working non-stop on these cases.

Arrested was Jose Dominguez, 22 of Los Angeles, Osman Enamorado, 23 of Los Angeles, and Henry Briones, 26 of Los Angeles.

In July 2010, the Sheriff’s Department’s Agricultural Crimes Unit identified a pattern of activity related to burglaries at construction sites and farms located in the rural areas of Ventura County. A task force comprised of detectives from the Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and Riverside County Sheriff’s Departments were formed to investigate this series of burglaries.

During the course of investigating the nearly fifty (50) burglaries in Ventura County alone, detectives learned that suspects were conspiring to commit these burglaries and were targeting “Conex” type metal storage containers.

The suspects used various cutting tools to force entry into locked storage containers to steal tools including air compressors, welding machines, water pumps, drills, saws, grinders, and various hand tools. The stolen property was being taken to a “fence” in Los Angeles County to be sold for cash.

Sheriff's Detectives investigating this series of burglaries identified four (4) primary suspects. Based on the evidence collected at the various crime scenes, detectives were able to link the suspects to in excess of fifty (50) burglaries.

The evidence used included, DNA evidence, fingerprint evidence, shoe impression analysis, and the use of various surveillance techniques.

On July 7, 2011, Ventura County Sheriff’s Detectives served Search Warrants & Arrest Warrants at the locations noted above.

Dominguez was arrested and charged with seventeen (17) counts of Penal Code Section 459 – Burglary. He was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility.

Arrest Warrants were issued for the other three (3) suspects linked to this series of burglaries.

Briones and Enamorado are in custody for their part in a similar burglary in Riverside County.

Wilfredo Jimenez, 34 of Los Angeles, is still outstanding.