California recovered $76.2 million in stolen merchandise and arrested more than 5,300 suspects since 2019

Since 2019, California has recovered more than 1.6 million stolen items worth $76.2 million, thanks to a task force combating organized retail crime. In addition to the seizures, officers arrested more than 5,300 suspects. All of this has contributed to dismantling organized networks set up to commit this type of crime.

"The progress we have made since the creation of the Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) demonstrates the power of collaboration," said California Highway Patrol (CHP) Commissioner Sean Duryee.

He added that "working together with our partner agencies, retailers, prosecutors and the public, we have dismantled organized theft networks, recovered millions of dollars in merchandise and brought criminals to justice."

A statement from the governor's office highlights some of the operations recently carried out by the ORCTF and led by the Highway Patrol.

An encouraging balance

For example, in June 2026, a suspect was arrested for allegedly stealing thousands of trading cards valued at $15,000 from Target stores in Southern California. The detainee was carrying two firearms, one of which had been stolen.

Shortly afterward, the CHP, partnering with several companies including Nordstrom, Nike, GAP and Abercrombie, conducted operations at the Outlets at Orange stores. In those operations, 13 people were arrested and 87 stolen items valued at $4,100 were recovered.

While authorities acknowledge that much remains to be done to put an end to this crime, they highlight that since the ORCTF was created in 2019, the following statistics have been recorded:

- 4,718 investigations.

- 5,330 arrests.

- Recovery of 1,627,405 items valued at $76.2 million.

Furthermore, so far in 2026, the task force has reported the following figures:

- 329 investigations.

- 315 arrests.

- Recovery of 67,689 stolen items worth $6.3 million.

Efforts to combat organized retail theft are part of a broader public safety strategy that has succeeded in reducing crime across the state.

The Department of Justice provides the following figures for the 2024–2025 period:

- An 18.6% decrease in the homicide rate.

- A 19.9% decline in the number of robberies.

- A 25% decrease in the motor vehicle theft rate.

- A 10.2% decline in the violent crime rate.

The report also reveals that California recorded its lowest homicide rate since statewide data collection began in 1966. Furthermore, since Newsom took office as governor, crime rates have declined across all major categories, including homicides, robberies and other property crimes, and vehicle theft.

It is worth noting that the ORCTF works closely with local police departments, sheriff's offices, district attorneys, retailers and regional law enforcement partners. The results are the product of an investment of more than $267 million across 55 communities to help local agencies investigate this crime.