Sacramento, California – California’s campaign against organized retail theft is showing another round of results, with state-supported law enforcement agencies reporting tens of thousands of arrests and nearly $260 million in recovered stolen merchandise since October 2023.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced the new figures as part of the state’s broader effort to disrupt organized theft rings, strengthen local enforcement, and move more cases into prosecution. Since the launch of the program, agencies have reported 32,613 arrests and 25,843 cases referred for prosecution through work supported by California’s organized retail crime and vertical prosecution grants.
“Public safety starts with accountability. Over the last two years, we’ve made the largest investment in state history to combat organized retail theft, giving local law enforcement and prosecutors the tools they need to dismantle criminal networks, recover stolen property, and keep our communities safe. The results speak for themselves: tens of thousands of arrests, thousands of cases headed to prosecution, and nearly $260 million in stolen goods recovered,” Governor Gavin Newsom said.
Read also: Sacramento man arrested after police link antisemitic vandalism to intimidation campaign on U Street
The effort began in 2023, when the state awarded more than $242 million to 38 local law enforcement agencies through the Board of State and Community Corrections. The funding has helped departments create dedicated enforcement teams, add personnel, use investigative technology, coordinate regional operations, and work more closely with retailers.
In the most recent reporting quarter alone, agencies arrested 3,553 suspects and referred 2,947 cases for prosecution. BSCC Board Chair Linda Penner said the grants are giving local agencies the resources needed to investigate complex operations, increase prosecutions, and recover stolen property.
Read also: Sixty-one firearms seized as Sacramento agencies dismantle suspected narcotics operation
Examples of those efforts stretch across the state. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department recovered about $4 million in stolen cargo freight connected to major retailers, including Foot Locker, Epson, and Ulta. Costa Mesa police recovered about $150,000 in stolen merchandise, fragrances, and cash during an investigation focused on online resale activity. Bakersfield police arrested four suspects tied to thefts involving retailers such as Ulta, Nordstrom Rack, Target, and PetSmart. In San Jose, police carried out 29 organized retail theft enforcement operations, leading to 72 arrests and criminal citations.
California has also directed $24 million into a vertical prosecution grant program for 13 district attorneys’ offices. These prosecutors handle organized retail theft cases from investigation through conviction, helping build stronger coordination among investigators, retailers, victims, and prosecutors.
Grant-funded prosecutors secured 2,615 theft-related convictions, including 910 tied directly to organized retail theft. Of those, 772 were felony convictions, with nearly 85% of organized retail theft convictions resulting in felony accountability.
Read also: California takes first place in maternal mental health as leaders press for continued care
The state says the results are part of more than $267 million invested across 55 communities to fight organized retail theft and property crime. The California Highway Patrol’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force has also conducted more than 4,500 investigations since 2019, arrested more than 5,100 suspects, and recovered more than 1.6 million stolen items valued at over $74.6 million.
The enforcement push comes as preliminary 2025 FBI data show declines in violent crime, property crime, murder, burglary, and larceny-theft across California. Final statewide data have not yet been released, but officials say the current trend points to continued progress in public safety.