Prosecutors say a Portland secondhand shop allegedly helped move stolen goods on a large scale, turning shoplifting into a profitable resale operation. Five people have been indicted in connection with the investigation, which targeted how stolen merchandise was being funneled through buy-and-resell channels.
Authorities say the scheme undercut legitimate retailers and rewarded repeat thieves, prompting a broader probe. The investigation began from loss-prevention tips and retailer reports, eventually exposing how stolen items were being cashed out instead of simply stolen, according to KGW.
How Prosecutors Say The Operation Worked
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office says investigators believe professional “boosters” were targeting stores, swiping goods, then unloading that merchandise to one or more secondhand dealers for fast payment. Those dealers allegedly moved the items into the broader secondary market, effectively laundering the products for profit.
Multnomah County DA’s Office officials have previously described similar setups as coordinated schemes that can hit dozens of businesses across the metro area. Loss-prevention teams and prosecutors alike say the crucial move is breaking the chain from theft to resale, which is where larger networks tend to make their money.
Why Secondhand Shops Draw Police Heat
Secondhand dealers can offer exactly what thieves are looking for, a speedy, low-paperwork way to turn stolen goods into cash. That role has put resale shops squarely in the crosshairs of recent law-enforcement missions and prosecutions focused on organized retail theft…