Case:  24-5023365

Date:  September 2024

In early September 2024, members of the Austin Police Department (APD) North Metro Tactical Response Unit began an Organized Retail Theft investigation. An Organized Retail Crime Investigator with Victoria’s Secret identified three individuals in connection to more than a dozen high-value thefts in the Austin area that resulted in significant losses to the company. Additional thefts were attributed to this group in Central Texas.
 
As a result of the investigation, Sofia Hernandez, Angelica Chavez, Joe Garcia, and Lisa Vasquez of Austin, were arrested for theft-related offenses. Additionally, two residential search warrants were executed. Officers seized approximately 2,000 pieces of suspected stolen retail merchandise belonging to more than 40 different retailers, with an approximate value of $57,000, and a stolen handgun.
 
Suspects:

Sofia Hernandez, Hispanic female, 20 years of age – Multiple Felony Counts of Theft

Angelica Chavez, Hispanic female, 24 years of age – Multiple Felony Counts of Theft
 

Joe Garcia, Hispanic male, 37 years of age – Multiple Counts of Felony Theft and Robbery by Threat
 

Lisa Vasquez, Hispanic female, 30 years of age – Felony Count of Organized Retail Theft

 
Photos of some of the suspected stolen merchandize:

Anyone with any information may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.