Stolen Property and Vehicles Recovered Amid Increased Organized Retail Theft Enforcement in Los Angeles
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The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau has announced the recent recovery of thousands of dollars with of stolen merchandise, among other items, amid enhanced enforcement efforts targeting organized retail crime in the city.
According to a Sheriff’s Department press release, the LASD Major Crimes Bureau Metro Detail Burglary-Robbery Taskforce (BRTF), working in collaboration with the East Los Angeles Station Special Problems Team and Summer Enforcement Team, successfully apprehended suspects accused of being involved in organized retail theft. The operation aimed to combat the rising thefts that have adversely affected the lives of citizens and businesses in Los Angeles County.
Following a surveillance operation conducted at the Nike Community Store, which had suffered losses exceeding $750,000 over the past year, the BRTF detectives made a total of 12 arrests on June 2 and June 3, 2023. Out of the arrests, nine were felonies. One of the achievements of the operation was the identification and arrest of an organized retail theft crew believed to be responsible for the thefts. As a result, stolen merchandise worth $2,669 was successfully recovered and returned to Nike.
BRTF detectives and deputies from the East Los Angeles Station teams also recovered an assault rifle from a residence during follow-up investigations related to one of the theft incidents. Additionally, the East Los Angeles Station Special Problems Team and Summer Enforcement Team deputies assisted in recovering two stolen vehicles, one of which had been involved in a carjacking incident.
The LASD Major Crimes Bureau Metro Detail Burglary-Robbery Taskforce works in close cooperation with the detective bureaus of all LASD stations and various other law enforcement agencies across Southern California. As a proactive measure, residents and business owners are encouraged to secure their properties and remain vigilant for any suspicious or unusual persons or vehicles. Any observed suspicious activity should be reported immediately to local law enforcement.
In case of a life-threatening emergency, residents are urged to call 911, while the local police business line should be contacted for reporting any suspicious persons or vehicles. For tips, questions, or concerns related to the operation or similar incidents, the MCB BRTF can be reached via email at BRTF@LASD.org.
