Now they're wearing the real thing.
Rojas, 25, and Radillo, 22, were arrested this week by Merced police for allegedly using a stolen credit card number to fund phone accounts for inmates in the Merced County Jail, according to Officer Joe Deliman of the Merced Police Department's Gang Violence Suppression Unit. One officer said the alleged use of stolen credit information to underwrite prisoners' phone calls was unprecedented in his experience.
The duo were both charged with credit card theft and conspiracy. Deliman said the conspiracy charge carries a gang enhancement because investigators believe the crime was committed to benefit and in association with a criminal street gang.
They both pleaded not guilty during their arraignment hearings Friday. Their preliminary hearings are scheduled for Merced Superior Court on Sept. 19.
Deliman said the women are believed to be associated with the Norteño criminal street gang. "We're trying to delve a little bit deeper into how the females are involved," Deliman said. "This is the start of some of the reasons why we need to start looking at the female gang members."
Investigators believe Radillo stole the credit card number from a customer's credit card at a local business where she was employed. Deliman said Radillo passed the credit card information on to Rojas, who then used it to charge $400 for various inmates' phone accounts.
During the investigation, Deliman said search warrants were conducted on three residences where the suspects had been staying intermittently. Investigators searched residences on the 300 block of South Parsons Avenue, the 1200 block of East Alexander Avenue and the 1800 block of Evening Star Drive. The suspects weren't there when the search warrants were executed, Deliman said.
After police conducted the searches, however, Deliman said Rojas and Radillo went separately to the downtown police station to ask about the warrants and were arrested. Rojas was arrested on Wednesday, Rojas on Thursday. "I think they were wondering what was going on, and at that time I had enough information to arrest them," Deliman said. "Rojas admitted to obtaining the information and then using the card."
Radillo and Rojas were instrumental in organizing protests outside of the Merced County Main Jail for several days in late July and early August after Merced County Sheriff's investigators stormed four cells occupied mainly by members of the Norteño criminal street gang in the jail.
Wearing green- and white-striped shirts resembling the jailhouse garb worn by inmates, the women at times were joined by up to 25 protestors. They complained that the officers has used excessive force during the operation, holding photos of one inmate with an injured, bloodied foot to make their point. The sheriff's department denied any wrongdoing, saying the raid was conducted to curb a rising tide of jailhouse violence. Investigators also said they only used nonlethal rubber pellets and beanbags during the raid.
Although Rojas and Radillo could not be reached for comment Friday, Radillo's brother, Pablo Guiterrez, 27, said his sister believed she was being targeted by Merced Police because of her role in organizing the protest. "I'm not 100 percent sure, but I know (police) probably waited a little bit and said, 'OK, here's an opportunity to get them back for protesting against us and for trying to protect the inmates,'" Guiterrez charged. "Cops get away with a lot of stuff in jail that people don't see. But who's going to believe an inmate?"
Cmdr. Tom Martin of the Merced Police Department categorically denied any accusations that police targeted the women for protesting. "A crime was reported to us. We took the action that we felt was warranted and that's why they are in custody," Martin said.
Deliman said the case was the first time that he has heard of people stealing credit card numbers to fund inmate phone accounts. "There could be more arrests, but I am not totally sure yet. We just have to review the information as it comes in," Deliman said.2
Rojas and Radillo are being held at the John Latorraca Correctional Facility in lieu of $60,000 bail each.
Reporter Victor A. Patton can be reached at 209-385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com
