27 ARRESTED IN LOCAL RETAIL CRIME EFFORT

Joint law enforcement operation focused on 3 shopping centers

More than two dozen people were arrested last week during a coordinated effort by local law enforcement agencies to crack down on retail crime throughout San Diego, according to investigators.

The operation took place Sept. 26 at the Fashion Valley mall and the Midway District shopping area, officials said Tuesday. It involved a coalition of agencies targeting shoplifters at a time when retail theft has been spiking throughout the country.

During the local operation, undercover investigators worked with staff at multiple big-box stores at three shopping centers, investigators said. Employees used store security cameras to relay realtime information to the undercover investigators about people they believed were stealing.

The officers would then quickly move on the thieves once they left the store with clothing, toiletries, cosmetics, jewelry and/or groceries, said California Highway Patrol Officer Jacob Sanchez.

While most were just concealing the stolen items and walking out, at least one person attempted to push a shopping cart out the front door with no attempt to hide the items, Sanchez said.

In total, 27 suspects were arrested and about $6,000 worth of stolen merchandise was recovered.

Detectives believe some of the individuals were acting by themselves, Sanchez said. However, they are looking into whether some are affiliated with organized crews.

The joint task force consisted of investigators from CHP, the San Diego Police Department and the county Sheriff ’s Department. Investigators said the shopping centers were identified as hot spots for shoplifting.

Since 2019, law enforcement in California has arrested more than 1,250 people and recovered $30.7 million in stolen merchandise, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said last month.

Earlier this year, CHP officers fanned out to serve search warrants in San Diego County and several other counties up to Bakersfield, arresting 25 people and seizing $5 million in stolen goods. They also recovered seven stolen cargo trailers, several vehicles, multiple firearms, 13 gold bars and $450,000 in cash, the UnionTribune reported in May.