LAPD Says 18 Suspects Arrested in Organized Retail Thefts

LAPD Says 18 Suspects Arrested in Organized Retail Thefts
A Los Angeles Police Department vehicle in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 6, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
City News Service
12/4/2022
Updated:
12/5/2022
0:00

LOS ANGELES—Police in Los Angeles arrested 18 suspects in connection with four organized retail thefts valued at about $23,000, authorities said Dec. 3.

The suspects, who range in age from 15 to 20, face charges of organized retail theft and grand theft, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The individuals live throughout the city and county of Los Angeles.

The thefts occurred Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 at four shoe and clothing retail chain stores, police said. Three were in the city of Los Angeles and one was in the city of Paramount. The suspects are believed to be involved in 14 other incidents with an estimated loss of $90,000, police said.

In addition to the arrests, eight vehicles were impounded and the stolen merchandise was recovered and returned to the retailers, police said.

The investigation into the incidents is continuing through a combined effort of the LAPD, the county’s Sheriff’s Department, and the clothing retailers’ loss prevention departments.

Anyone with information on any organized retail thefts is urged to call their nearest law enforcement agency.