California law enforcement agencies announced the results of a major retail theft operation that led to 117 arrests and recovered $38,000 worth of stolen merchandise across the state.
The coordinated effort, dubbed "Operation Holiday Watch," was conducted last Friday through a joint initiative between the California Highway Patrol and local police departments targeting organized retail crime rings.
Beyond recovering stolen retail items, authorities also seized two illegal firearms and three vehicles that had been reported stolen during the operation.
The crackdown comes amid growing concerns about coordinated retail theft incidents at stores throughout California, particularly during the busy holiday shopping season. Law enforcement officials have increased patrols and surveillance at retail locations to deter organized theft groups.
The operation demonstrates California's intensified focus on combating retail crime through multi-agency collaboration and strategic enforcement actions. Officials say these efforts will continue to protect businesses and maintain public safety during the holiday period.
The recovered merchandise will be returned to affected retailers. Suspects arrested during the operation face various charges related to theft, possession of stolen property, and weapons violations.