Man suspected in series of retail thefts at North County outlet mall arrested

CARLSBAD, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A Lake Elsinore man suspected of organizing a retail theft crew that stole over $30,000 in stolen goods from the Carlsbad Premium Outlets was arrested last week, authorities said.

Jose Miguel Gonzalez, 38, was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on seven counts of organized retail theft and criminal conspiracy, Denise Ramirez with the Carlsbad Police Department said in a news release Thursday.

Police initially investigated two cases, finding the suspects had used a particular "booster bag" to hide stolen goods. That same booster bag was seen in multiple surveillance videos being used in other thefts as well, authorities said.

A suspect vehicle, which was linked to several unsolved grand theft cases in Carlsbad and Orange County, was identified with the License Plate Reader data.

"The vehicle's frequent presence near the crime scenes, coupled with its use in additional thefts at the Carlsbad Premium Outlets, provided critical evidence linking the cases together. The investigation further revealed that the suspect vehicle had a travel history consistent with individuals involved in organized criminal activity," Ramirez said.

On Friday, police pulled over the suspect's vehicle and arrested Gonzalez.