SACRAMENTO,
Calif. – In a significant blow to organized retail theft, the California
Highway Patrol (CHP), along with partner law enforcement agencies, arrested
more than 50 people and recovered more than $60,000 and merchandise in
Central Valley this past weekend. The
CHP conducted several operations as part of the Organized Retail Crime Task
Force (ORCTF), which was formed in 2019 by Governor Newsom. The ORCTF has worked tirelessly since that
time to help recover $30.7 million in stolen merchandise, returning the goods
to impacted retailers throughout California. With
ramped up law enforcement cooperation and activities across California, the
CHP seeks to disrupt criminal operations of this nature across the state,
sending a strong message that these illicit activities will not be tolerated.
“Through
increased collaborative efforts, retailers and law enforcement have become
more efficient and effective in our fight against organized retail crime,”
said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee.
“As a result, the number of statewide investigations and arrests by
the task force have increased year over year – keeping more Californians safe.” “Organized
retail theft is simply unacceptable,” said Governor Newsom. “No state
is investing more to tackle this type of crime –– and I'm incredibly proud of
the CHP, and our law enforcement and retail partners, for doubling down to
keep our businesses and families safe.” Since
the inception of the ORCTF, there have been more than 1,850 investigations
into retail crimes in California that have resulted in over 1,250
arrests. One key to the ORCTF’s
success is the partnership with retailers, local law enforcement, and
district attorneys, to effectively disrupt organized retail theft rings and
prosecute organized retail crimes. A
press conference held earlier this
afternoon highlighted the results from last weekend’s “Blitz” operations
conducted by the CHP Central Division’s ORCTF in which more than 50 suspects
were arrested for various violations including organized retail crime,
shoplifting, grand theft, petty theft, criminal conspiracy, resisting arrest,
possession of burglary tools and possession of a stolen vehicle. Over the course of the two-day operation,
nearly 700 assets were recovered and returned to the victims. “The
CHP is committed to investigating these reprehensible crimes,” said CHP
Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Our
investigators throughout the state work countless hours to identify,
apprehend, and submit for prosecution those individuals who are victimizing
our communities.”
![]() If you witness one of these crimes occurring, do not
attempt to intervene. Call 9-1-1 Members of the public and retailers can
also report retail crime tips directly through the
CHP’s website. The
ORCTF’s efforts are consistent with the CHP’s mission to provide the highest
level of Safety, Service, and Security to the people of California and are in
line with the CHP strategic goal to protect life and property.
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