On December 1st and 2nd of 2022, a series of organized retail theft incidents occurred at multiple clothing and shoe retailers in the Los Angeles area, resulting in the arrest of 18 suspects ranging in age from 15 to 20. The suspects are accused of stealing clothing with a total estimated value of $23,000 from the four stores. These same suspects are also suspected of being involved in 14 other similar incidents, resulting in a total estimated loss of $90,000 worth of items. The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, and the retailers’ loss prevention teams.
The suspects were arrested for violating California Penal Code §490.4 (Organized Retail Theft) and 487 (Grand Theft), both felonies. All of the stolen items have been recovered and returned to the retailers, and eight vehicles were impounded.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency.
The operation comes just a day after Robert Luna was sworn in as the new leader of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.