Arrest warrant out for leader of Bend organized retail theft ring that stole over $22,000 in goods from six large stores
Police say 25 thefts documented, more victims likely; more than two-dozen suspects arrested
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A $20,000 arrest warrant was issued Tuesday for a 29-year-old Bend man accused of leading a large organized theft ring that hit at least six large stores around Bend late last year and early this year, stealing more than $22,000 in merchandise, authorities said. More than 30 suspects as young as 15 were identified and nearly two-dozen have been arrested, and police believe there are more victims.
In January, Bend Police investigated a shoplifting case at WinCo Foods, with five suspects, only two of whom officers were able to initially identify – Roger Rodriguez Molina and Consuelo Carolina Jimenez Romero, 42, Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said.
Officers began reviewing prior cases and similar calls for service in an effort to identify the three outstanding suspects.
During that review, officers connected multiple shoplifting and theft calls related to the Rodriguez Molina and Jimenez Romero shoplifting case at WinCo, Miller said.
Over the course of a months-long investigation, Bend Police identified at least 25 documented thefts from businesses throughout the City of Bend and involving 31 suspects ranging in age from 15 to 46.
Using video surveillance, officers were able to identify patterns, behaviors and tactics that indicated the thefts were planned and organized, Miller said.
Those 25 documented thefts, occurring in late 2023 and early 2024, included more than $22,000 in stolen merchandise from retailers including Fred Meyer, Walmart, Winco, Dicks Sporting Goods, Sunglass Hut and Sportsman’s Warehouse.
"Bend Police believe there were additional thefts from retailers in Bend that were not reported or that have policies against reporting shoplifters to police," Miller said in a news release. "Additional thefts likely took place in other parts of Central Oregon as well."
Officers executed multiple search warrants over the course of this case at homes and hotel rooms throughout Bend, as well search warrants to access and analyze cell phone data. During those searches, Miller said they located dozens of stolen items, many of which were able to be connected directly to theft investigations. Some of that property was returned to those retailers.
Miller said Bend Police have arrested at least 22 of those involved in the thefts and determined that Rodriguez Molina was the leader of the theft ring.
Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels, who recently sought and received a grant to boost efforts to take on organized retail theft rings, told NewsChannel 21 on Tuesday: "This case illustrates the need for a new, more aggressive approach to investigating and prosecuting organized retail theft. Working with law enforcement and retail stores to combat these crimes is essential."
Court records show Rodriguez Molina was indicted in May on first-degree theft and criminal conspiracy charges.
A Deschutes County Jail representative said he was arrested and booked into the jail on July 31, also facing new misdemeanor charges that day of giving false information to police and failure to carry a license. He was conditionally released on August 13, pending a Sept. 24 court appearance, a jail representative said.
On Sept. 5, a grand jury indicted Rodriguez Molina on one count of organized retail theft between Dec. 10-22 of last year at Walmart and/or Sportsman's Warehouse and three counts of first-degree theft in December at the Bend Walmart and Sportsman's Warehouse, each involving $1,000 or more of stolen goods.
That night, Sept. 5, Rodriguez Molina was ticketed by Oregon State Police for driving with a suspended or revoked license and failure to obey a traffic control device at Southeast Third Street and Davis Avenue, with a total presumptive fine of $705.
