A Portland police crackdown on retail theft Thursday led to 11 arrests, $1,000 in recovered stolen merchandise and a firearms arrest at Jantzen Beach Center, police said.
Kenneth Jackson, 47, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, a news release said. He was also wanted for rape and other crimes, police said. Police arrested others on outstanding warrants and suspicion of theft and assault, they said.
Retail theft goes beyond simple shoplifting, officials said. It can involve organized theft rings that swipe items they then sell for cash or return to stores for a “refund.”…