Placer County prosecutors say they have slapped criminal charges on dozens of people they believe helped run a sprawling fencing operation that shuffled stolen retail goods across multiple Bay Area counties. The case, officials say, sprang from an investigation that zeroed in on an Oakland hub where investigators reportedly pulled a massive cache of merchandise. The defendants have already made initial court appearances in Roseville and are set to return for a consolidated hearing later this month.
The Placer County District Attorney’s Office said the group faces charges including organized retail theft, conspiracy to commit felony crimes, and receiving stolen property. Defense attorneys have been appointed, and a consolidated hearing is set in Department 20 at 8:30 a.m. Monday.
Retail theft unit and multi-agency work
Placer County officials credit the Retail Theft Initiative, a recently expanded vertical prosecution program, with helping investigators track suspects across jurisdictions and target larger fencing networks. The program uses data analysis and coordinated operations to identify so-called booster crews and trace stolen goods to storage or resale locations…