Several people arrested in shoplifting operation near Austin mall

AUSTIN, Texas (KWTX) – Several people were arrested in separate incidents during a shoplifting operation near the Austin mall.

In the first incident, police say officers were informed that four people inside the Khol’s at 11111 Lakeline Blvd. were putting items in a baby stroller in an attempt to steal them.

Police say officers arrived on scene as the suspects were leaving the store with the stolen items.

The suspects, according to police, attempted to run away while leaving the stroller of stolen items behind, but were arrested shortly after.

Officers recovered $1,100 in merchandise from the stroller and an additional $1,200 in stole merchandise from two other stores in the suspect’s vehicle.

Melain Gomez, 20, Alexis Garza, 25, Jessica Gomez, 23, and Jesus Jimenez-Gomez, 22, were each charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and taken to the Williamson County Jail.

In the second incident, police say officers received information that a high value repeat offender, identified as Javier Rios, was inside the Lowe’s at 13201 North FM 620.

Police say officers arrived on scene as Rios, 41, left the store with a stolen AC unit valued at $2,156.

Rios was subsequently arrested for theft and two outstanding warrants charging larceny, according to police.

Additionally, police say officers found a shower kit in Rios’ vehicle valued at $609 that was stolen from a separate Lowe’s on the same day.

In the third incident, police say officers were sent the Target at 10900 Lakeline Mall Drive on reports of a known theft suspect who was taking anti-theft devices off electronics in the store.

Police say the suspect, identified as Donovan Clausen, left the store with multiple stolen items and employees attempted to stop him.

Clausen fled the scene on foot but was later arrested by police near a vehicle where he met a woman, according to police.

Officers, according to police, recovered $613.70 in stolen items.

Additionally, police say officers found more stolen items and narcotics inside the vehicle.

The additional stolen items were determined to be jewelry and beauty items taken from Target and Khol’s valued at $1,050.

Clausen is charged with theft and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

The woman, identified as 44-year-old Christina Shell, was arrested and charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

In the final incident, police say employees at the Target at 10900 Lakeline Mall Drive reported a known high value repeat offender, identified as Martin Morales, was loading a shopping cart with items inside the store.

Morales, 54, according to police, pushed the cart outside and was confronted by an employee.

After this, police say Morales left the shopping cart and entered a vehicle in the parking lot.

The vehicle left the area as officers arrived on scene, but police say officers later found and stopped the vehicle.

Morales was subsequently arrested for theft and the driver of the vehicle, identified as 44-year-old Crystal Overby, was arrested on an active warrant.

In total, police say they recovered $7,500 in stolen items from the incidents.

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