(KMJ) — The California Highway Patrol says 51 people were arrested during a weekend blitz focusing on organized retail crime.
The 3-day operation was conducted by CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force conducted Friday through Sunday in Fresno and Kern Counties.
The 51 suspects face various violations including organized retail crime, shoplifting, grand theft, petty theft, criminal conspiracy, resisting arrest, possession of controlled substances, possession of burglary tools and possession of a stolen vehicle.
The operation is a collaborative effort between law enforcement and retail Loss Prevention professionals, in an effort to identify, deter and prevent rampant theft and loss of merchandise, from local retail locations.
Nearly 700 stolen items were recovered with an estimated value of over $58,000.
The operation included the Walmart Supercenter at Shaw and Brawley Avenues in Fresno.
This location was the scene of a shooting and stabbing within its parking lot on Monday, July 31st.
Similar operations will continue to be conducted in the Central Valley and around the State in response to criminal activities related to organized retail theft crime.
The CHP encourages anyone with information related to retail theft crime to email [email protected].
