9-21-2023 3:51pm

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

Anita Johnson-Brown Editor

GLENDALE, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) apprehended 10 suspects in linked to an organized retail theft fencing operation involving almost $218,379.69 in stolen products.

On September 13, 2023, the CHP’s Southern Division Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF), operating in conjunction with the LAPD and its recently formed Los Angeles Organized Retail Crime Task Force, investigated an organized retail crime “fence” location selling stolen retail merchandise at area swap meets in the Los Angeles area.

In the fence operation, A box truck and tents in the backyard of a private home were used to hide the stolen retail merchandise. Via investigation assistance by retail loss prevention personnel, investigators determined the merchandise was stolen from Amazon, Victoria's Secret, CVS, Ralphs, Rite Aid, and Walgreens, merchants in the greater Los Angeles area.

A sum of 8,844 looted items were recovered with a ballpark retail loss of $218,379.69 to the victims. Also, $44,836 in cash was seized as evidence.

The Ten suspects arrested in connection with the fencing crime are described as 7 men and 3 women from Compton, Calif. This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information relative to it is asked to please contact the CHP Southern Division ORCTF at 323- 644-9550.

As advised by CHP:

A "fence" is an individual or group of individuals who purchase 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 the products they are purchasing were stolen as part of an organized retail crime operation. The CHP is committed to aggressively investigating organized retail crime activity in the Los Angeles region and throughout California. The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

By Anita Johnson-Brown

Photos: CHP