California sees surge in arrests for organized retail theft

Governor Gavin Newsome | Twitter Website

In July, California's Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) conducted 128 investigations leading to the arrests of 167 suspects, more than doubling the total arrests from the previous month. Since January, the task force has made 884 arrests and recovered stolen goods valued at over $7.2 million.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced this progress by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in combating organized retail theft. The state saw a 212% increase in criminal investigations and a 106% rise in arrests compared to the previous month.

"The state's Organized Retail Crime Task Force is responding readily and at record pace to crack down on organized criminals attempting to rip off California’s storefronts — demonstrating a continued commitment to enforcing public safety and protecting our communities," Governor Newsom stated. "I’d like to thank the dedicated officers of the California Highway Patrol for their diligent work enforcing our laws and holding criminals accountable."

Since its inception in 2019, the ORCTF has arrested over 2,900 suspects and recovered more than $45 million worth of stolen assets.

"Our relentless pursuit of organized retail crime continues to yield significant results, month after month," said California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee. "Through targeted investigations and numerous arrests, we are actively disrupting and dismantling these crime rings that threaten our communities and businesses. Our message is clear: we will not allow organized retail crime to go unchecked in California."

Governor Newsom has invested $1.1 billion since 2019 to combat crime, support local governments in hiring more police officers, and improve public safety. This investment has contributed significantly to the task force's achievements. The Governor’s Real Public Safety Plan focuses on strengthening local law enforcement response, ensuring perpetrators are held accountable, and removing guns and drugs from streets.

Last year, $267 million was distributed across 55 communities to help combat organized retail crime locally. These funds have enabled cities and counties to hire more police officers, make more arrests, and secure felony charges against suspects.

The CHP reported a 310% increase last year in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime statewide.