117 Arrests Made During Operation Holiday Watch

WALNUT CREEK, CA — In the final shopping days before Christmas, the California Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies, including the Walnut Creek Police Department Department, collaborated in a successful enforcement operation targeting organized retail crime, promoting safe shopping experiences for communities throughout California.

The statewide retail theft crackdown on Dec. 20 resulted in 117 arrests on charges ranging from petty or grand theft to organized retail crime and auto theft to illegal possession of a gun by a felon.

Law enforcement agencies recovered three stolen cars and over $38,000 in clothing, shoes, fragrances and other stolen merchandise. Two illegal guns were seized.

The increased visibility of law enforcement in high-traffic shopping areas deterred additional crimes. Further, the CHP said, it enhanced collaboration among 10 California law enforcement agencies and 56 retail partners for improved in-store security and reporting.

"Through proactive enforcement operations and strong partnerships with local law enforcement and retailers, we were able to protect the state’s businesses and consumers during one of the busiest times of the year," CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said. "Our efforts send a clear message that retail theft in California will not be tolerated."

In addition to Walnut Creek PD, the Hemet Police Department, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Glendale Police Department, Bakersfield Police Department, Woodland Police Department, Livermore Police Department and San Ramon Police Department also collaborated in the daylong crackdown.

Since the Organized Retail Crime Task Force’s inception in 2019, the CHP has been involved in over 3,200 investigations, leading to the arrest of more than 3,500 suspects and the recovery of nearly 1.3 million stolen goods valued at $51.3 million.

The CHP plans to continue working with businesses and the community year-round to prevent more retail theft.