A coordinated crackdown on organized retail crime across California ended with 97 arrests and the recovery of thousands of stolen products, according to KTLA.
Over nine days in early August, California Highway Patrol investigators worked alongside more than 100 law enforcement agencies as part of the National Organized Retail Crime Blitz. The enforcement effort focused on suspected theft activity at retailers, shopping centers and other businesses throughout the state.
The KTLA report says that authorities ultimately recovered more than 8,500 items believed to have been stolen. CHP estimated the merchandise was worth roughly $1.05 million. Of the 97 people arrested during the operation, eight were taken into custody on felony charges.
The enforcement push included operations in several communities. In San Diego, authorities recovered a large quantity of stolen sneakers, while officers in Roseville, Lodi and Stockton carried out proactive operations that led to additional arrests.
CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said retail theft can have lasting consequences for businesses and the communities they serve, and said the agency plans to continue committing resources to identifying and apprehending those involved.
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