Eight people were arrested on suspicion of organized retail theft after authorities discovered millions of dollars’ worth of drugs, cosmetics and other stolen merchandise from several Los Angeles locations, sheriff’s officials said this week. of Los Angeles County.
The retail merchandise was stolen by teams of organized shoplifters from stores in California, Arizona and Nevada, according to detectives. The stolen items were then transported to various locations throughout Los Angeles County where they were sold to various “fencing” operations, officials said.
Authorities investigating retail thefts refer to people who buy stolen goods and then resell them for profit as “fencemen.”
The sheriff’s department said they also recovered a stolen firearm and a large sum of cash, according to A press release published Friday.
Merchandise worth millions of dollars was stolen by a group of thieves from several stores in Arizona, Nevada and California, authorities said. The stolen items were then transported throughout Los Angeles County where they were sold to various “fencing” operations.
(Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)
The suspects, who have not been named, are being held on $60,000 bail each.
Early Thursday morning, sheriff’s detectives raided a dozen locations in Los Angeles County suspected of being involved in the criminal ring. according to KCAL CBS.
At a small market in South Los Angeles, they found boxes containing Motrin, Theraflu and other stolen products stacked floor to ceiling, according to the report. Store labels were still affixed to much of the merchandise. The location appears to be where the merchandise was relabeled for sale, officials said.
Detectives said they worked with the help of stores including CVS and Walmart to track the illegal operation.
The stolen goods are often sold online, officials said, including on Amazon.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should contact the Retail Organized Crime Task Force at (562) 946-7270.
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