As Ventura County geared up for festive celebrations, the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force collaborated with local retailers and law enforcement agencies to stage a "Shoplift With a Cop" blitz operation at the Pacific View Mall. According to a news release published on December 12th, this strategic enforcement took place on December 6th and 7th, targeting retail theft—a perennial concern during the holiday season.
The operation was a concerted effort between the task force and Loss Prevention and Asset Protection teams from Target, JCPenney, and Macy’s, along with Allied Security. The outcome was the arrest of 21 adults and 16 juveniles, along with a recovery of nearly $2,000 in stolen goods. The seized items include burglary tools and various narcotics such as fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
These blitz operations are a part of a larger scheme to combat significant shoplifting challenges that affect businesses across the county, not just at busy shopping centers like the Pacific View Mall. Detectives from the task force collaborated with members of the Sheriff’s West County Special Enforcement Unit, Ventura Police Department, and personnel from the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations in this county-wide endeavor to provide a safer shopping environment.
Retailers throughout Ventura County experiencing significant retail theft losses are encouraged to partake in similar operations by contacting the task force’s main line. The task force's initiative is part of a coordinated effort, funded under the California Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program, to combat an estimated annual loss of $10 million from organized retail theft.
The Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force, which includes detectives from various Ventura County agencies, continues to promote their primary mission of combating organized retail theft. For those with information regarding retail crimes, the task force encourages contacting them through their recorded line or the Crime Stoppers Tip Line, where callers can remain anonymous. Sergeant Todd Welty of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, who prepared the report, hopes these measures will deter potential criminals and safeguard the community's assets.
