GASTONIA, N.C. — The Gastonia Police Department launched Operation Naughty List between Thanksgiving and Christmas to reduce retail theft.
Between Nov. 28 and Dec. 19, undercover plain clothes officers from the Street Crimes Unit patrolled various Gastonia stores like Walmart and Target to arrest individuals allegedly committing theft.
In a month, Gastonia police officers arrested 74 individuals for 154 charges, including misdemeanor and felony larceny, drug possession and more. The initiative prevented the theft of an estimate $4,342.85 in merchandise…