The California Highway Patrol announced Tuesday that 117 people were arrested in a one-day enforcement operation targeting retail organized crime across the state in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies.
In addition to arrests during Friday’s operation, officers recovered more than $38,000 in stolen merchandise, seized two illegal firearms and recovered three stolen vehicles, according to the CHP.
“Through aggressive enforcement efforts and strong partnerships with local law enforcement and retailers, we are able to protect our state’s businesses and consumers during the busiest time of the year,” CHP Director Sean Durie said in a statement. ” he said. “Our efforts send a clear message that retail theft in California will not be tolerated.”
The special enforcement action also received approval from Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“The state is committed to protecting consumers, especially as they make their final purchases before the holidays,” Newsom said in a statement.
CHP said items recovered included clothing, shoes and perfume. The arrest charges include petty theft, grand theft, organized retail crime, being a felon in possession of a firearm,
and car theft.
Other agencies involved in the statewide operation include Glendale Police Department, Hemet Police Department, Bakersfield Police Department, Woodland Police Department, Walnut Creek Police Department, Livermore Police Department, San Ramon Police Department, and Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. Department.
The operation was carried out by the Organized Retail Crime Task Force, which was launched in 2019. Since then, CHP has been involved in more than 3,200 investigations, made more than 3,500 arrests, and recovered nearly 1.3 million stolen items valued at $51.3 million. According to the agency.
