Thirteen East Bay residents arrested by CHP in Northern California retail theft ring investigation

"SACRAMENTO Thirteen East Bay residents, including 12 from Oakland, have been criminally charged and more than 44,000 stolen merchandise items were recovered following an operation targeting an organized retail theft network operating across Northern California, the California Highway Patrol said Tuesday. According to a CHP news release, an investigation began in September when the CHP's Valley Division Organized Retail Crime Task Force was alerted to a pair of retail theft suspects who stole merchandise in Placer County and at other locations throughout the state."

"On December 11, a multi-agency enforcement effort dubbed Operation Silent Night was executed in Oakland, Richmond, San Leandro, and Galt, resulting in the arrest of the 13 suspects. Authorities did not specify the addresses where the warrants were executed. Investigators also seized more than 400 boxes and 200 bags of stolen merchandize, including cosmetics, household goods, clothing, power tools, toys, alcohol and diapers, as well as two firearms, more than $10,000 in cash, five vans, two passenger vehicles and two trailers."

The CHP's Valley Division Organized Retail Crime Task Force began an investigation in September after being alerted to retail theft suspects. The task force includes investigators from CHP, Sacramento Police Department and the Placer County District Attorney's Office. A traffic stop in October in Rocklin produced information identifying suspects who bought and resold stolen merchandise. Stolen goods were distributed and sold at flea markets in Oakland, San Jose, Galt, Modesto and Stockton, possibly since February 2024. Investigators obtained warrants for six residences, three storage lockers and one storage lot. Operation Silent Night on December 11 resulted in 13 arrests and extensive seizures of stolen goods, cash, vehicles and firearms.

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