Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on July 22 that California has recovered more than 1.6 million stolen items valued at over $76.2 million through the Organized Retail Crime Task Force.

Working alongside local law enforcement and retailers, the task force has arrested more than 5,300 suspects, disrupted organized theft rings and helped protect businesses and consumers across California.

“We’re going after organized retail theft from every angle … investigations, arrests, prosecutions and partnerships,” Newsom said. “Criminal organizations should know – we do not tolerate criminals here.”

Since the inception of the ORCTF in 2019, California Highway Patrol-led operations and allied agency partners have helped dismantle organized theft rings, support retailers and keep crime out of California communities. The task force is responsible for 4,718 investigations, 5,330 arrests, 1.6 million stolen items recovered and $76.2 million in stolen goods recovered.

In 2026, the task force has conducted 329 investigations and 315 suspects were arrested. Law enforcement officers recovered 67,689 stolen items so far this year, and $6.3 million in recovered stolen property. In June alone, 105 arrests were made (an 87.5 % increase from June 2025) and 2,461 stolen items were recovered.

“The progress we’ve made since establishing the Organized Retail Crime Task Force in 2019 demonstrates the power of partnership,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said. “Working alongside our allied law enforcement agencies, retailers, prosecutors and the public throughout the state, we’ve disrupted organized theft networks, recovered millions of dollars in stolen merchandise and held offenders accountable. While there is more work ahead, these partnerships continue to strengthen our ability to protect California’s businesses, employees and consumers.”

Recent CHP-led operations have targeted coordinated theft crews, fencing operations and repeat offenders. On June 16, investigators served a search warrant at the home of a suspect linked to multiple Target store thefts across Southern California. Officers recovered thousands of stolen trading cards valued at approximately $15,000.

For information, visit gov.ca.gov.