CHANDLER, AZ – Chandler police arrested 12 people early Tuesday after a month long investigation into an organized home and retail theft ring.
Authorities arrested the suspects around 6:30 a.m. while executing search warrants at 631 North Colorado Street and 275 North Fresno Street in Chandler.
Police reportedly recovered an estimated $100,000 worth of stolen property from both locations and cleared 45 burglary cases that had occurred in the Scottsdale, Gilbert, and Chandler areas as a result.
About $7,500 worth of construction equipment was seized, as well as multiple stolen flat screen TVs and laptops.
Among those arrested was Eliseo Mendoza Sandoval, the so-called “Eyeglass Burglar” who allegedly burglarized over 20 optometry offices.
About 120 pairs of eyeglasses ranging from $500 to $1,000 were among the items seized by authorities. Mendoza Sandoval is also suspected of changing original titles to motor vehicles.
Police said Mendoza Sandoval had a hard time getting rid of glasses and admitted to investigators that it was more difficult than he thought it would be.
Also, police said surveillance video that was broadcast, showing the suspects, made it more difficult for them to get rid of the stolen items.
Also arrested was Adrianna Sanchez who allegedly helped Eliseo by making fraudulent titles at her place of employment.
The suspected theft ring was reportedly investigated by undercover officers who posed as black marketers of stolen property. Various retail stores such as Safeway, Fry’s and The Gap, provided the officers with “stolen” items for purposes of the investigation, according to authorities.
All of the suspects are facing multiple charges ranging from burglary, trafficking in stolen property, tampering with MVD records, theft, passing counterfeit currency, and narcotic-related offenses.
The suspects arrested are as follows:
Eliseo Mendoza and Mary Jo Sandoval, both 30, Cheryl Lynn Walsch, 43, Sean Gilman, 41, Adrianna Sanchez and Victorio Meneses Jr., both 28, Hector David Valencia, 17, Ivan Nevarez, 24, Elizabeth Jo Gloria, 22, Jason Walsch, 21, and Damian Nevarez and Johnny Escobedo, both 18,
