Three suspects were arrested by a team of local law enforcement officials following an investigation into the theft of $21,000 worth of merchandise from Target and Walmart stores in L.A. County, including the Santa Clarita Valley, officials said.

On Wednesday at 7:20 a.m., 11 members of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Detective Bureau and the Special Assignment Team executed a search warrant in California City, which is located about 80 miles from Santa Clarita in Kern County.

Stolen merchandise recovered by detectives. Photo courtesy of the SCV Sheriff’s Station.

The search warrant led to the recovery of approximately $7,150 worth of merchandise and the arrests of three California City residents: Jerry Wayne Miller, 53; Julie Miller, 53; and Dylan Fritts, 26, according to officials with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

Both Jerry and Julie Miller face charges of grand theft, while Fritts was arrested for an outstanding warrant for DUI, with bail set at $100,000.

Based on the 8-week investigation, one primary suspect is believed to be responsible for more than 40 separate thefts in Los Angeles County — including the Santa Clarita Valley — valued at over $21,000, as well as 20 additional thefts in Ventura and Kern Counties.

The name of the arrestee believed to be the primary suspect was not released by officials.

All three suspects were booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station. Bail was issued at $20,000 for Julie Miller, and at $46,000 for Jerry Miller, according to Sheriff’s Department arrest records.

The Millers were both expected to appear at the San Fernando Courthouse on Friday, while Fritts is scheduled to appear at the Van Nuys Superior Court on Monday.

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