Three members of a Jurupa Valley family involved in a string of retail thefts throughout Riverside County and neighboring locations pleaded guilty to felony charges Wednesday, resulting in the ringleader receiving nearly three years in state prison and his relations receiving terms of probation.
Thomas Edward Balandran, 51, Breeanna Marie Balandran, 19, and Sherri Marie Alvarez, 48, all admitted organized retail theft with intent to resell merchandise under separate plea agreements with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. Thomas Balandran additionally admitted charges of conspiracy and grand theft, along with probation violations.
Prosecutors dropped related felony counts against Breeanna Balandran and Alvarez in exchange for their admitting the organized retail theft allegation.
During a hearing Wednesday at the Riverside Hall of Justice, Superior Court Judge Jeff Zimel certified the terms of the plea deals, imposing a stipulated sentence of two years, eight months in state prison on Thomas Balandran. The women were each sentenced to two years’ felony probation. Zimel also ordered both to serve between four to six months in a sheriff’s work release program, during which time they’ll have to remain gainfully employed or attend vocational or similar programs.
The judge directed the Department of Probation to determine the amount of victim restitution that the defendants should be required to pay.
According to Sgt. Josh Hephner of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the trio were arrested, along with a 17-year-old boy whose identity was not disclosed, on May 13 at a residence in the 6800 block of Valley Way, where a search warrant was served based on an investigation that began during the last week of April.
The teenager was released to the custody of relatives.
Hephner said the defendants came to the attention of investigators following an April 24 theft in the 32100 block of Temecula Parkway, where a retail establishment was targeted and $1,000 worth of goods were stolen.
“Throughout the investigation, it was confirmed the suspects were responsible for at least 10 separate thefts throughout Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties,” the sergeant said. “In total, they were responsible for over $7,000 in losses, and it is believed there are additional unidentified incidents of theft.”
He said detectives soon identified other “residences believed to be involved in knowingly buying stolen goods with the intent to resell them for profit, also known as `fencing.”’
Search warrants served at a Moreno Valley residence netted “over $3,000 of additional stolen merchandise,” according to Hephner.
Only the defendants were arrested.
Court records show Thomas Balandran has prior convictions for possession of controlled substances and shoplifting, while Sherri Alvarez has a prior for petty theft. Breeanna Balandran has no documented priors in Riverside County.