Ringleader in string of South Bay retail thefts sentenced to 6 years in prison

A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to six years in state prison on three felony counts of organized retail theft and robbery after a South County crime spree.

Edgar Figueroa pleaded guilty on March 28 to two charges of organized retail theft and one of robbery for his role in stealing $16,300 in shoes and other merchandise from the Nike store at the Las Americas Premium Outlets in San Ysidro and Dick’s Sporting Goods and Burlington in Chula Vista.

Figueroa also pleaded guilty to one count of organized retail theft, according to a news release from the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, for his role in stealing an additional $3,050 worth of merchandise from the Nike store in Carlsbad in January. 

An employee called Chula Vista police on March 16 after recognizing the suspect while he was stuffing merchandise in a duffel bag at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Officers responded and detained Figueroa, also wanted in a robbery at Burlington on Feb. 17 when he worked with three other suspects to steal $1,684 worth of merchandise. He pointed a firearm at an employee who inquired about the theft, while an accomplice also threatened the person with a Taser. 

Figueroa was a leader in a crew of at least six suspects who helped commit each of the thefts. On several occasions, the thieves attempted to change their appearance when returning to stores they had previously targeted.

The remaining suspects have been identified and are being prosecuted for their roles in the theft ring.