Sheriff's task force arrests four Las Vegas residents in Ulta Beauty theft ring

The Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force arrested four Nevada residents on Sept. 25 for organized retail theft from Ulta Beauty stores across the county, recovering nearly 100 bottles of high-end fragrance valued at over $16,000.

The tip. On Sept. 24, 2026, an employee at the Ulta Beauty store at the Camarillo Premium Outlets contacted the Sheriff's Office and reported two known shoplifters were inside the store and were possibly stealing merchandise, according to the Sept. 30 news release. Deputies with the Camarillo Police Department responded, but the suspects had left before deputies arrived.

The investigation. Deputies determined the suspects had stolen merchandise, including high-end fragrances, and that the same suspects were connected to numerous previous thefts from Ulta Beauty stores throughout Ventura County. Through continued investigative efforts including the use of Automated License Plate Readers, the suspects' vehicle was located in the parking lot of the Premier Inn in Newbury Park.

The arrests. On Sept. 25, 2026, detectives with the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force responded to the motel. Detectives contacted Luis Andris Rizo-Avila, 39, and Yenisley Nunez-Guerra, 42, as they drove away from the motel, and stopped Onell Arian Portelles-Cera, 28, and Solangel Rodriguez-Sanchez, 29, as they exited their motel room. All four are from Nevada — three from Las Vegas and one from Henderson.

The evidence. A search of each of their vehicles produced almost 100 bottles of men's cologne and women's perfume. All the merchandise was from Ulta stores. A representative from Ulta later took possession of the recovered stolen property and valued the loss at over $16,000.

Charges. All four were arrested and booked into the Ventura County Main Jail for conspiracy to commit organized retail theft. Bail increase and challenge source bail requests were submitted but denied. Each suspect posted $20,000 bail and was released from custody. All four are due back in court next month for arraignment. Additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.

The task force. The Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force was formed after the Sheriff's Office was awarded grant funding under the California Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program. The task force is comprised of detectives from various agencies within Ventura County with the primary mission of combatting organized retail theft, vehicle and vehicle-parts theft, and cargo theft.

How to help. Anyone with information regarding organized retail theft, vehicle or vehicle-parts theft, or cargo theft may contact the task force's recorded line at 805-383-8703 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS. Calls can remain anonymous.