Sheriff tracks embezzlement suspects from Oxnard liquor store to Oregon
Eunises Lopez and Angelique Welch, former employees of Happy Place Liquor, were accused of stealing about $75,000 over months, including fraudulent lottery-ticket redemptions.
Two former employees of an Oxnard liquor store were arrested after a months-long embezzlement investigation, with one suspect tracked to Oregon and brought back to Ventura County.
The scheme. On Sept. 30, 2025, Headquarters Patrol deputies responded to Happy Place Liquor, located in the 1500 block of Los Angeles Avenue in Oxnard. The owner reported losing a significant amount of money over several months, estimating the loss at approximately $75,000, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office news release dated Oct. 19.
Detectives reviewed several months of video surveillance and documentation provided by the business. The investigation identified former employees Eunises Lopez, 23, of Oxnard, and Angelique Welch, 26, who had relocated to Medford, Oregon, as the suspects responsible. The release says the two were seen on video taking money from the register over several months. The investigation also revealed they had fraudulently obtained lottery tickets and redeemed winning tickets for cash. Headquarters detectives immediately notified detectives from the California State Lottery Department.
The arrests. On Sept. 24, 2026, headquarters deputies located and arrested Lopez in the 5500 block of Cypress Road in Oxnard. She was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for embezzlement.
Detectives learned Welch had moved out of state and was believed to be living in Medford, Oregon, and obtained a warrant for her arrest from Ventura County Superior Court. Detectives coordinated with Medford police officers, who arrested Welch in the 1600 block of North Riverside Avenue. Headquarters detectives and deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff's Office Fugitive Unit traveled to Medford, took custody of Welch, and brought her back to Ventura County. She was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for embezzlement.
Both suspects were booked on Penal Code Section 503, embezzlement.
The sheriff's comment. The department said the case shows that it takes crimes against local business owners seriously and will work with law enforcement partners — even outside the state — to locate and apprehend those responsible for crimes committed in Ventura County.
How to help. Anyone with information may contact Detective Esperanza Sevelo at 805-662-6770.
Sources
- Ventura County Sheriff's Office Nixle alert 12771151, Report 26-125369, Oct. 19, 2026 (sheriff news release (Nixle))Oct 19, 2026
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