65-year-old California arrested after search turns up $100,000 of stolen sportswear

Two separate investigations into retail theft in the region led to the discovery of $100,000 worth of stolen sporting wear in one San Diego home and racks of stolen action figures in another, authorities said.

First, a woman was arrested last week after a search of her home turned up goods stolen from a sportswear retailer in Carlsbad. Her arrest followed a months-long investigation into upwards of 40 thefts from a single Under Armour store in the Carlsbad Premium Outlets on Paseo del Norte.

Carlsbad police said in a news release Tuesday that the investigation started in May, and they “worked closely with Under Armour’s loss prevention team to review surveillance footage and analyze evidence” in the series. That work led them to identify their suspect as a 65-year-old San Diego woman.

Armed with a warrant, police searched her home last week and found what they allege are stolen goods. The woman was arrested on suspicion of several counts of grand theft. She is out of custody but due in court later this week to see if she will be charged.

Separately, a different investigation into a series of retail thefts led sheriff’s detectives to a Mira Mesa home where they found shelves filled with stolen action figures, authorities said.

In that instance, deputies from the Vista Sheriff’s Station found “numerous” items stolen from Target and Walmart stores, sheriff’s Sgt. Brent Longfellow said in a news release Tuesday. The estimated value is worth more than $1,000, he said.

He did not say what the stolen items were, but photos supplied by the Sheriff’s Office show shelving full of what appear to be wrestling-related action figures — some free-standing, others still in their boxes.

The two people in the home were arrested. Arraigned Monday, they face several charges related to organized retail theft, as well as one count each of receiving stolen property and grand theft of personal property. The complaint charging the pair indicates some of the alleged thefts occurred at stores in Mission Valley, Santee, Escondido and Vista.