Multiple suspects arrested in $900,000 retail theft bust operation in Southern California

Multiple suspects were arrested in connection with a retail theft operation that caused over $900,000 worth of losses to stores across Southern California.

In September 2025, the California Highway Patrol’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force began investigating after officials from The Home Depot reported suspects who continually targeted their retail stores.

The suspects were believed to be involved in a “sophisticated fraud and theft scheme,” and allegedly damaged merchandise, removed internal components and returned the altered products in exchange for new items, CHP said.

They were linked to hundreds of incidents at retail stores across California, resulting in losses of over $900,000. • Multiple suspects were arrested in connection with retail thefts that resulted in over $900,000