LA County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman (R) said last week that the arrest of an alleged fencer will help clean up retail theft in MacArthur Park.
That was after cops announced that Blanca Elsa Escobar, 65, had been charged with receiving over $350,000 in stolen merchandise from retailers, including Target, Macy’s, TJ Maxx, CVS, and Walgreens, at her business near MacArthur Park.
“This case is an important step toward cleaning up MacArthur Park, a community that has long struggled with crime and safety concerns,” Hochman said. “Combating organized retail theft in close partnership with LAPD and other law enforcement is a priority for my administration. My office will vigorously prosecute this case and send an unmistakable message to criminals: Retail theft will not be tolerated under my watch.”
Escobar, 65, of Los Angeles, is charged eight felony counts of receiving stolen property over $950 in value and one misdemeanor count of conducting gaming. It is further alleged that the offenses indicate planning, sophistication, and professionalism.
On March 5, LAPD officers executed a search warrant at Escobar’s business on 6th Street across from MacArthur Park in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles. Officers recovered an estimated $360,000 in stolen merchandise, primarily cosmetics, clothes, and toiletries, from retailers including CVS, Target, Walgreens, Kroger, Ross, TJ Maxx, and Macy’s. Officers also discovered illegal slot machines.
Escobar was arraigned last week, and a May 22 court date was set. She remains out of custody and was ordered to return for the next court date.
If convicted, Escobar faces eight years and six months in prison.
