WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ore. — Three people were arrested and approximately $36,000 worth of stolen merchandise was recovered following a coordinated investigation by the Organized Retail Theft Task Force in Washington County.
According to authorities, the investigation began on May 16, 2026, when an Organized Retail Theft investigator for Ulta reported that a suspected retail theft crew had stolen merchandise from several stores in the Seattle area earlier that day and was believed to be operating in Washington County.
Deputies with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded and utilized a drone operator to locate the suspects’ vehicle, a Cadillac Escalade, in a parking lot in the 20000 block of Southwest Tualatin Valley Highway. When deputies arrived, the vehicle was unoccupied, but two individuals matching the suspects’ descriptions were found nearby.
The pair were identified as Nerielis Brinez-Brinez and Dayan Anarlo-Buckjones.
While reviewing drone footage, authorities determined a third suspect had exited the driver’s seat and entered a nearby food truck. Deputies located and detained the individual, identified as Albianys Melean-Gonzalez, inside the business.
Detectives from the Tigard Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist with the investigation. All three suspects were arrested on charges of first-degree theft. Melean-Gonzalez was also taken into custody on an outstanding warrant related to an unrelated theft case from 2025.
Investigators later obtained a search warrant for the Cadillac Escalade. During the search, detectives recovered an estimated $36,000 worth of stolen fragrances along with additional merchandise believed to have been taken from multiple retailers.
Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton praised the collaborative effort among law enforcement agencies and retailers.
“Washington County has a zero-tolerance policy for all types of crime, including retail theft,” Barton said. “Using a combination of local resources and grant funding, we have built a coalition of law enforcement agencies and retailers who help ensure businesses, employees, and customers are safe.”
Officials said the case highlights the partnership between the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and a Tigard Police Department detective assigned to the Washington County District Attorney’s Office as an Organized Retail Theft Detective. The position is funded through a $1.5 million grant awarded by Oregon’s Organized Retail Theft Grant Program.
Authorities also released drone footage from the investigation showing the suspects at the scene.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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