Personnel from the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station were part of a task force operation focusing on suspects involved in retail theft. (photo courtesy of the LASD)

Investigators with the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station recently participated in a sheriff’s department task force operation in February that resulted in the arrests of nine suspects for large-scale organized retail theft.

The LASD’s Organized Retail Crimes Task Force recovered stolen property valued at approximately $4 million, some of it taken from retailers in West Hollywood, authorities said. The nine suspects, who were not identified, were booked for organized retail theft, grand theft and receiving stolen property. The operation was conducted at residences in the city of South Gate and around downtown Los Angeles. The merchandise recovered includes over-the-counter medications, cosmetics, hygiene products, clothing, handbags, household items, fragrances and scented candles.

The suspects are believed to be members of “booster crews” that target retailers throughout the city and then sell the stolen merchandise to others, who illegally resell it on the streets and on the black market. Authorities said the suspects targeted retailers such as CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Nordstrom, Bath & Body Works, Macy’s and T.J. Maxx. West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station detective Jason Duron said the suspects stole merchandise from Target and Ulta Beauty stores at the West Hollywood Gateway complex at Santa Monica Boulevard and La Brea Avenue.

“Ulta and Target are the main ones in our area. We do get regular reports about retail thefts at those stores,” Duron said. “We haven’t had any of the flash mob incidents at retailers. It’s more individuals who are part of organized groups that target specific locations.”

Personnel from the sheriff’s station are taking measures to address retail thefts, although specific details are not being released so thieves are not tipped off. Duron said Target has an extensive loss prevention program to deter thieves, but added that deputies are called to the store weekly about thefts.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department formed the Organized Retail Crimes Task Force in September 2023. It operates out of LASD’s Major Crimes Bureau and is dedicated to investigating, identifying and apprehending suspects involved in organized retail crimes. Anyone with information about retail theft is encouraged to call the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station at (310)855-8850 or the Organized Retail Crimes Task Force at (562)946-7270, or email tips to orctf@lasd.org.