The Manteca Police Department continues to crack down on organized retail theft – arresting four people from outside of the county last week after they tried to make off with more than $3,500 in high-end perfume from the Manteca Ulta location.

According to the Manteca Police, three individuals – Paige Lawrence, 18, of Sacramento, Dajanique Mabinton, 19, of Sacramento, and a 17-year-old juvenile – were observed grabbing 51 bottles of high-end perfume and loading up baskets.

They were in-and-out of the store in just one minute.

When store employees contacted the Manteca Police Department Detective assigned to organized retail theft and gave a description of the vehicle that they were seen leaving in, officers were able to locate the vehicle as it tried to leave the area and perform a traffic stop. All of the merchandise that was stolen was recovered and returned to the store.

Melvin Bowden, 24, of Berkeley, was believed to be waiting in the parking to pick the three up and was subsequently arrested after the traffic stop.

All four individuals are facing charges of organized retail theft, burglary, conspiracy, grand theft, and probation violations, while the three adults will also face a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The theft was the second of the day at the Ulta location – which had been hit earlier that day when thieves walked in with large black garbage bags and began filling them with $12,000 worth of merchandise before fleeing the location.

While that incident did not lead to an immediate arrest, the Manteca Police remain the only agency in the area that has a dedicated person to investigate those crimes as they occur and work with store employees to catch those that are responsible.

“The Manteca Police Department is the only agency in the area with an investigator dedicated primarily to Organized Retail Crimes,” the Manteca Police said in a statement announcing the arrest. “Det. (Dave) Brown has been working with neighboring agencies and the DA’s Office to increase awareness on this issue and bring these perpetrators to justice.

“ORC is a significant drain on the Department’s resources and makes a huge impact on the victimized businesses. We are committed to continuing this program and look forward to its growth and increased effectiveness.”

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.