117 Arrests Made in Retail Crime Crackdown

California Highway Patrol’s statewide crackdown on organized retail crime leads to 117 arrests and recovery of over $38,000 in stolen merchandise.

At a Glance

CHP’s December 20 operation resulted in 117 arrests and recovery of 767 stolen items.
Over $38,000 in stolen merchandise, two illegal firearms, and three stolen vehicles seized.
The operation involved collaboration among 10 law enforcement agencies and 56 retail partners.
Since 2019, CHP’s task force has made over 3,500 arrests and recovered $51.3 million in stolen goods.
Governor Newsom signed legislation to strengthen laws against organized theft rings.

Massive Retail Theft Crackdown in California

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) conducted a sweeping statewide operation on December 20, targeting organized retail crime during the busy holiday shopping season. The coordinated effort resulted in the arrest of 117 suspects and the recovery of more than $38,000 worth of stolen merchandise.

The daylong crackdown involved collaboration among 10 California law enforcement agencies and 56 retail partners. Among the recovered items were 767 stolen goods, two illegal firearms, and three stolen vehicles. The operation’s success demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated efforts between law enforcement and the retail sector in combating organized crime.

Authorities arrested 117 suspects during a massive crackdown on retail theft across California.
Details: https://t.co/aSJop4EcX1 pic.twitter.com/NGkZgBUGzg

— KTLA (@KTLA) December 25, 2024

Ongoing Efforts to Combat Retail Theft

The recent operation is part of a broader initiative to tackle retail theft in California. Since the inception of the Organized Retail Crime Task Force in 2019, the CHP has participated in over 3,200 investigations. These efforts have led to more than 3,500 arrests and the recovery of nearly 1.3 million stolen goods valued at $51.3 million.

“Through proactive enforcement operations and strong partnerships with local law enforcement and retailers, we were able to protect the state’s businesses and consumers during one of the busiest times of the year,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee.

The operation’s success was not limited to arrests and recovered merchandise. Increased law enforcement visibility in high-traffic shopping areas also served as a deterrent to potential criminals, helping to prevent additional thefts during the holiday season.

Legislative Support

In response to the growing concern over organized retail theft, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation earlier this year to strengthen laws against these criminal rings. The new measures include increased penalties for those involved in organized retail theft, signaling the state’s commitment to addressing this issue comprehensively.

“Our efforts send a clear message that retail theft in California will not be tolerated,” emphasized Commissioner Duryee.

The public is encouraged to remain vigilant and report any information on organized retail theft to the California Highway Patrol.