Several Bay Area law enforcement agencies collaborated on a months-long retail theft investigation that last week led to the arrest of an Oakland man and netted suspected stolen merchandise worth over $326,000.
The California Highway Patrol Golden Gate Division posted a press release about the joint operation on their Facebook page. The investigation involved the CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) as well as the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office and the San Ramon Police Department (SRPD) has led to the recovery of suspected stolen merchandise valued at over $326,000 and the arrest of a suspect operating as a fence for stolen goods.
In late September of last year, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office identified and arrested several individuals for their participation in an organized retail theft ring targeting multiple retails stores. A subsequent investigation identified an individual who was selling the stolen merchandise. Meanwhile, San Ramon police identified and arrested multiple suspects involved in numerous thefts from local Sephora stores that led them to identify the same fence who was already being investigated by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.