Golden – A man suspected of being part of a ring that has stolen iPods from Target stores in California, Illinois and Colorado has been indicted by a Jefferson County grand jury.
Ipolito Torres, 35, of Van Nuys, Calif., who also is known as Leonel Garcia Crespo, has been charged with 18 felony counts for allegedly stealing iPods on May 20-21, 2006, from Target stores in Aurora, Denver, Westminster, Superior, Englewood, Lone Tree, south Jefferson County and Highlands Ranch.
The charges include racketeering, violation of the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, conspiracy to commit theft, theft and burglary.
Torres is believed to have been working with at least two other suspects who have not yet been identified.
The team would go into a Target store and split up, the indictment said. Two team members would get a shopping cart and fill it with large items like guitars, towels and boxes.
The ones with the shopping cart then would go into the electronics department to meet up with the third person.
The indictment said the two with the cart would act like ordinary shoppers, but would place the cart to block surveillance cameras or the view of employees while the other suspect took iPods from display cases.
The iPods would be hidden in the cart and taken in shopping bags out of the store through the front doors.
Colorado stores where iPods were stolen are: 14200 E. Ellsworth Ave., Aurora; 5801 W. 44th Ave., Denver; 10445 Reed St., Westminster; 400 Marshall Road, Superior; 6767 S. Clinton St., Englewood; 10001 Commons St., Lone Tree; 9390 W. Cross Drive, in south Jefferson County, and 1950 E. County Line Road, Highlands Ranch.
Information on these thefts and ones in California and Chicago was provided to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Target corporate security.
Torres is being held in San Jose, Calif., on unrelated charges. He is being held without bond because of a U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.
Jeffco DA Scott Storey said extradition proceedings are under way to bring him to Jefferson County to face charges.
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
