Crime & Safety

71 Theft Suspects Nabbed in LB Retail Sweep

One man was caught with an alleged $200 in meat while a woman reportedly was captured stealing two pies and ice cream among the arrests at 43 Long Beach retailers.

Dessert is served. 

A woman allegedly caught with two hidden pies and a gallon of ice cream and a man with $200 in allegedly stolen meat were among the 71 arrested as part of a retail theft sweep disclosed Friday and ed by Long Beach Police Department.

Joined by an army of theft prevention workers for major grocery and discount chains - 43 locations, from Von's to Target - Long Beach burglary detectives worked three days last week in what they dubbed Operation Spring Break. The plan "aggressively targeted organized retail crime, which includes shoplifters, commercial burglars, and organized gangs that steal from these establishments," read an announcement issued Friday.

Find out what's happening in Belmont Shore-Napleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In the first such Long Beach police-industry partnership, the loss prevention teams were sent from national chains such as Albertsons, CVS, Rite Aid, Smart & Final, Stater Bros., Target, Vons, Walgreens, and Wal-Mart to aid in the crackdown, the announcement said.

The venture was planned to confront what the police department described as an increase in property crimes in Long Beach, and an overarching increase in crimes "that affect consumers and retailers alike."

Find out what's happening in Belmont Shore-Napleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Operation Spring Cleaning spread over three quarters of the city of 50 square miles, all but the southern quadrant, police said. 

"On March 14th, 15th, and 16th, " the release states, "Burglary Detectives and Directed Enforcement Officers, from the East, West and North Patrol Divisions, joined 100 loss prevention specialists at local retail companies to arrest, cite, or identify all suspects detained for theft related offenses at 43 retail establishments throughout Long Beach.

"The operation resulted in 24 felony filings, 42 misdemeanor filings, 6 juvenile petitions, and 71 civil demand notices issued by each business.

The remainder of the police statement said, in part:

"Commonly stolen items included:  toiletries, cosmetics, groceries, alcohol, and clothing. Officers caught one adult female suspect with multiple stolen items and found she had hidden two pies and a gallon of ice cream on her person.  In another incident, a male adult suspect was caught with over $200 worth of meat hidden in his backpack.

  “Our team effort sent a message to those inclined to steal from retailers,” said Sergeant Robert Woods. The City of Long Beach saw a marked increase in property crimes in 2012.  Many of these crimes were opportunity based and officers will continue to partner with retailers and the community to apprehend thieves.

 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Belmont Shore-Naples