August 15, 2023 - CENTRAL VALLEY, CA - California Highway Patrol (CHP) officials report that the Central Division's Organized Retail Crime Task Force conducted three "Blitz" operations on August 12, 2023, and August 13, 2023, within Fresno and Kern Counties. The operations yielded the detention and arrest of 51 suspects for various violations, to include: 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.

A "Blitz" operation is a collaborative effort between law enforcement and retail Loss Prevention (LP) professionals, in an effort to identify, deter and prevent rampant theft and loss of merchandise, from local retail locations. Over the course of the two-day operation, approximately 697 assets were recovered with an estimated value of over $58,000 dollars. The operation included the Walmart Supercenter located at Shaw and Brawley Avenues in the city of Fresno. Recently, this Walmart location was the scene of a shooting and stabbing within its parking lot.

The CHP's Organized Retail Crime Task Force is an example of how law enforcement agencies can work together, along with the private sector to tackle crime, with their focus on collaboration and technology. 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 any persons with information related to retail theft crime to contact: CHP-ORCTF-Central@chp.ca.gov.  

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

Source & photos: CHP