Statewide organized retail theft crackdown ends in 117 arrests

SACRAMENTO – A statewide crackdown on organized retail theft resulted in 117 arrests and the recovery of $38,000 in stolen merchandise last week, according to officials.

Two illegal guns and three stolen vehicles were also seized as part of Operation Holiday Watch, which was carried out Friday by the California Highway Patrol and police departments around the Golden State, the California Governor’s Office said in a news release.

The Livermore, San Ramon and Walnut Creek police departments were among the 10 law enforcement agencies that participated in the crackdown, according to officials.

The suspects are expected to face charges ranging from petty theft and grand theft to organized retail theft, officials said.

“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,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said in a statement.

“Our efforts send a clear message that retail theft in California will not be tolerated,” he said.

Officials said the CHP will continue working with businesses and communities to prevent retail theft.

Created in 2019, the CHP Organized Retail Crime Task Force has been involved in over 3,200 investigations, leading to the arrest of more than 3,500 suspects and the recovery of nearly 1.3 million stolen goods worth $51.3 million, according to officials.