A man was safely arrested after officers responded to a theft in progress that led to a short pursuit, the recovery of 22 stolen purses and several additional charges.
On February 28, 2026, at 6:15PM employees at a store on SW Washington Square Road called to report a theft in progress, where a man stole purses, loaded them into a waiting car, changed clothes and returned to the store to steal more. Responding officers saw a car matching the description of the suspect’s car leaving the area and tried to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver kept going. The suspect drove a loop around an uninvolved car in the middle of an intersection, then drove down SW Brightfield Circle. When he reached the end of the street, he took off on foot until he was cornered in a fenced yard and was safely arrested.
Officers identified the suspect as 31-year-old Victor Llarena-Moren. In the car, officers recovered 22 stolen handbags and a wallet that officers believe was stolen in a separate incident. Officers also found a second license plate in the trunk of the car and learned neither the plate displayed on the car, nor the plate found in the trunk were actually associated with the car. Officers further learned the Llarena-Moren had a suspended license and no insurance, so the car was towed from the scene.
During their interactions with Llarena-Moren, officers also believed him to be impaired. There was a woman who was the passenger in the car, and officers learned there was a no-contact release agreement between Llarena-Moren and the woman. After speaking with the store employees, officers did not believe the woman was associated with the theft and her name is not being released at this time.
Llarena-Moren was taken to jail charged with theft in the first degree (felony), escape in the third degree, violation of release agreement (contempt of court), reckless driving and driving under the influence of intoxicants. He was given traffic tickets for driving uninsured, driving while suspended and illegal display/switched plates. He was also booked on an outstanding arrest warrant.
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