LAPD On Retail Theft Crackdown; 41 Arrests in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA: Following a surge in smash-and-grab thefts that have been plaguing retailers in Southern California, law enforcement successfully conducted a bust operation resulting in the apprehension of 41 individuals.
Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office recently carried out patrols to address retail theft at a range of stores, such as Target, Walmart, Macy’s, Ulta Beauty, and Ross Dress For Less.
As a result of the operations, authorities apprehended 41 individuals and successfully retrieved stolen merchandise valued at over $10,000.
Images of the apprehended thieves depict a scene where deputies have successfully trapped them, with some officers still clutching the pilfered goods as the culprits tried to make their escape.
According to Capt. Rob Peacock of LASD’s Major Crimes Bureau, our task force has made a total of 438 arrests related to retail theft. Additionally, we have successfully filed 309 cases since the task force was established.
An initiative was launched in August 2023 to address the growing issue of organized thefts in Southern California, specifically targeting retailers through “flash mob” style operations.
A wide range of law enforcement agencies are part of the task force, including the L.A. Police Department, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, police in Glendale, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Santa Monica, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Marshals Service, city and county prosecutors, and the state Attorney General’s office.
If you have any information regarding retail theft crimes, please reach out to Lt. Michael Comas at 818-374-9420 or [email protected], or Lt. Derek White at 562-946-7270 or [email protected].
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