Mountain Grove, Citrus Plaza 'Retail Blitz' Yields 19 Arrests: CHP

REDLANDS, CA — California Highway Patrol's Organized Retail Crime investigators successfully shut down a coordinated theft ring, which officials called a "retail blitz."

On Jan. 17, CHP officers surveilled numerous stores in the Mountain Grove and Citrus Plaza shopping centers in Redlands at the request of retailers.

"CHP’s Organized Retail Crime investigators carried out surveillance operations to curb retail theft and hold offenders accountable," a department spokesperson shared over social media. "The operation was a success."

In all, 19 people were arrested, and 95 stolen items were recovered, according to the CHP reports. Their names were not immediately released.

Officers also managed to reclaim $3,731 worth of recovered merchandise, they said.

"We want to thank the retailers and law enforcement personnel who work tirelessly to protect our community from organized retail crime. Operations like this demonstrate the importance of collaboration in ensuring a safer shopping environment for everyone," they said over social media.

The California Highway Patrol has dedicated Organized Retail Crime Task Forces throughout the state. These teams work with retailers to combat sophisticated crews that continue victimizing merchants throughout the state, halting coordinated theft rings, such as the one in Redlands.