San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas has announced the arraignment of Joshua Ridgeway, 35, and Ammareece Nimmo, 23, both of Stockton, on multiple felony charges related to organized retail theft. Both defendants appeared in court on September 16, 2024, for their involvement in a series of significant thefts targeting businesses in Stockton.

Joshua Ridgeway faces charges of organized retail theft and grand theft in connection with multiple incidents. At the time of these offenses, Ridgeway was already on felony probation for similar crimes earlier this year.

In one of the thefts, Ridgeway was assisted by Ammareece Nimmo, who faces additional felony charges, including identity theft and other organized retail thefts involving major retailers.

The San Joaquin County Superior Court denied OR releases for Ridgeway and Nimmo. Due to new charges and probation violations, Ridgeway’s bail has been set at $430,000, and Nimmo is being held on $105,000 bail. Both defendants are scheduled to return to court on October 2, 2024.

District Attorney Ron Freitas underscored the seriousness of these crimes, stating: “Retail theft isn’t just about stealing merchandise—it’s a direct hit on our community. Every time a business suffers, jobs are at risk, and consumers pay the price. We will not tolerate repeat offenders wreaking havoc on our local economy. The message is clear: If you come for our businesses, we’re coming for you.”

Partnership with the STAART Program

 Freitas also highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts like the STAART (Stockton Takes Action Against Retail Theft) initiative, spearheaded by the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce. STAART fosters partnerships between law enforcement, the business community, and stakeholders to prevent and respond to retail theft, helping to ensure the safety and economic well-being of the Stockton area.

For more information on the STAART Program: https://stocktonchamber.org/staart/