California’s Retail Theft Crime Task Force Seizes $850,000 in Two Operations

In two operations conducted in Orange and Alameda counties, California’s retail theft crime task force uncovered $850,000 in stolen goods and arrested multiple suspects on felony charges. “Our organized retail crime task force throughout the state is cracking down on criminal organizations and holding thieves and resellers accountable,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in an Aug. 26 press release announcing the successes. “These arrests and operations should put criminals on notice—we won’t tolerate retail theft and will take you down.” In the Bay Area, an organized theft ring was taken down after a month-long investigation, resulting in the seizure of $450,000 in stolen merchandise and the arrest of the alleged ringleader....