Trio arrested after traffic stop leads to recovery of over $20,000 in stolen merchandise

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – Three New York residents were arrested following a series of shopliftings from the Rehoboth Outlets Saturday evening.

The investigation began at around 6:40 p.m., when a patrolling trooper observed a white Honda Odyssey tailgating another vehicle while traveling northbound on Coastal Highway, in the area of Wilkins Road. A traffic stop was initiated, and the trooper made contact with the driver, identified as 44-year-old Oscar Mosquera, front passenger, 48-year-old Alex Toro-Londono, and rear passenger, identified as 28-year-old Dagoberto Vargas-Hernandez. Police say Mosquera was unable to provide any proof of insurance for the vehicle, and a computer check revealed that he had an active warrant out of New Jersey.

After Mosquera was taken into custody, a search of the vehicle was conducted, leading to the discovery of several tools commonly used for shoplifting. Police also found over $20,000 worth of stolen merchandise from Victoria’s Secret, Brooks Brothers, Claire’s, Nike, and The Fragrance Outlet. No receipts were located, and none of the suspects could provide proof of purchase for the merchandise, with many items still having security tags on them. A counterfeit $100 bill was also found in Vargas-Hernandez’s pocket.

Mosquera was charged with organized retail theft, second degree conspiracy, two counts of possession of shoplifters tools, and multiple traffic violations, and was held at SCI on a $4,070 cash bond.

Toro-Londono was charged with organized retail theft, second degree conspiracy, and two counts of possession of shoplifters tools. He was later released after posting a $4,000 secured bond.

Vargas-Hernandez was held at SCI on a $5,000 cash bond after being charged with organized retail theft, second degree conspiracy, two counts of possession of shoplifters tools, and first degree forgery.