A San Marcos couple has been charged with grand theft after sheriff’s investigators say they found nearly $200,000 worth of suspected stolen goods including pricey wines and champagnes such as Dom Pérignon in their home.
Deputies were looking into thefts at several retail stores across North County, and that investigation led them to get a search warrant for the couple’s La Casa Drive home in Lake San Marcos, Sgt. Brent Longfellow said in a news release.
He identified the pair as John Michael Mastrobuono, 49, and Jenise Christine Mastrobuono, 45.
Each pleaded not guilty to one count of grand theft when they were arraigned Friday in Vista Superior Court. The charge carries a sentence of up to three years in prison.
Bottles of Napa Valley wine found in the home of San Marcos couple John and Jenise Mastrobuono. The couple has pleaded not guilty to grand theft, accused of stealing nearly $200,000 in merchandise from North County stores.
(Courtesy San Diego County Sheriff’s Department)
The criminal complaint filed by the District Attorney’s Office alleges thefts from Target stores over a 17-month stretch running from September 2022 through mid-February.
Longfellow said the search of their home turned up close to $200,000 worth of stolen merchandise, including the alcohol.
Sheriff’s officials shared photos of recovered goods, including Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon wines that sell for roughly $100 a bottle online and bottles of Dom Pérignon champagne, which start at roughly $250 a bottle online.
Sheriff’s officials did not say what other items they found or precisely what led them to suspect the couple.
