Shoplifting

California police crack down on shoplifting, leading to 117 arrests

By Madilynne Medina

More than 100 people were arrested in a California retail theft crackdown amid the holiday shopping season. 

The California Highway Patrol and local police conducted an operation on Friday in various parts of the state, specifically targeting retail crime. During the operation, 117 people were arrested on suspicion of organized retail theft or similar crimes, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said in a Dec. 24 news release.

Law enforcement seized $38,000 in stolen merchandise, two illegal firearms and three stolen vehicles, Newsom’s office said.

Individuals arrested in the blitz operation may face charges from petty and grand theft to organized retail crime. 

Similar operations have happened around California, including one in San Francisco in August, where 61 people were arrested on suspicion of shoplifting. 

The arrests come as the state allocated $267 million to various cities last year to crack down on retail crimes. Several new laws set to take effect in 2025 also target retail theft.

One law will make it easier for police to arrest people suspected of theft without directly seeing it if they can obtain a witness statement or surveillance footage, for example. Another law allows stores to pursue restraining orders against suspects. 

People found guilty of retail theft may also see increased punishments in the new year because of a senate bill that was passed in August.