Two suspects arrested after J.C. Penney store robbery, Los Banos police say

Two men have been arrested after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars in merchandise from a retail store, according to authorities.

The Los Banos Police Department said officers arrested Adrian Mendoza, 37, and Charles Kidwiler, 30, both of Merced, on Thursday.

Police said the two men entered J.C. Penney on Feb. 13, and grabbed more than $2,400 in merchandise before fleeing the store. As the two men left the retailer, a Loss Prevention Officer attempting to stop them was knocked to the ground, police said.

The two men left the store in a brown Ford Ranger and were stopped by Los Banos Police Officers just east of the city on Highway 152, according to authorities. Police said the vehicle has been used in multiple thefts from J.C. Penney locations in the Merced and Modesto areas.

According to jail records, Kidwiler was booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of felony receiving stolen property, conspiracy and burglary. He remains in custody at the John Latoracca Correctional Center in lieu of $60,000 bail.

Mendoza was booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of felony robbery, receiving stolen property, burglary and conspiracy, according to jail records. He remains in custody at the John Latoracca Correctional Center in lieu of $110,000 bail.

This story was originally published February 18, 2020 at 2:58 PM.