9-01-2023 11:37am

CHP ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME TASK FORCE ARRESTS SUSPECTS CONNECTED WITH SELLING STOLEN RETAIL MERCHANDISE GLENDALE

Anita Johnson-Brown Editor

Two suspects have been arrested by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for their involvement in an organized retail theft fencing operation, which included nearly $200,000 worth of stolen products. On August 29, 2023, the CHP's Southern Division Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) worked with the Los Angeles Police Department and the newly created Los Angeles Organized Retail Crime Task Force to investigate an organized retail crime "fence" location in downtown Los Angeles.

The suspects were selling stolen retail merchandise through a makeshift storefront-style display. The ORCTF's investigation determined that the merchandise was stolen with the help of retail loss prevention personnel. The stolen merchandise was identified to have been taken from Victoria's Secret and CVS locations in the greater Los Angeles area. A total of 13,906 stolen items were recovered, with an estimated retail loss of $198,000 to the victims. The suspects, described as a 47-year-old male from Los Angeles and a 43-year-old female from Panorama City, Calif., were arrested in connection with the fencing operation. This investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information regarding it is urged to contact the CHP Southern Division ORCTF at 323-644-9550.

To clarify, a "fence" is a person or group of individuals who buy stolen retail merchandise from those who commit smash-and-grab robberies and organized retail thefts, and then sell the stolen merchandise at seemingly legitimate businesses, swap meets, or online. The buyers of the stolen merchandise may or may not be aware that they are purchasing products that were stolen as part of an organized retail crime operation.

By Anita Johnson-Brown

Photos courtesy of CHP