SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom on Jul 22 announced that California has recovered more than 1.6 million stolen items valued at over $76.2 million through the California Highway Patrol’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force since its creation in 2019. Working alongside local law enforcement and retailers, the task force has arrested more than 5,300 suspects, disrupted organized theft rings, and helped protect businesses and consumers across California.

Since the inception of the ORCTF, CHP-led operations and allied agency partners have helped to reel in organized theft rings, support retailers and keep crime out of California communities.

Recent CHP-led operations have recovered thousands of stolen items by targeting coordinated theft crews, fencing operations and repeat offenders across the state.

Thousands of stolen trading cards recovered. On June 16, investigators served a search warrant at the home of a suspect linked to multiple Target thefts across Southern California. Officers recovered thousands of stolen trading cards valued at approximately $15,000, along with two firearms—including one reported stolen. The case is being reviewed for potential gang enhancements.

Retail theft operation leads to 13 arrests. On June 26, CHP partnered with Nordstrom, Nike, GAP, and Abercrombie at the Outlets at Orange, resulting in 13 arrests and the recovery of 87 stolen retail items valued at more than $4,100.

 (Photo source: Gavin Newsom’s Newsroom)