As holiday shopping ramps up, Placer County officials are spotlighting their countywide retail theft initiative, a partnership between prosecutors, law enforcement, and local businesses aimed at stopping organized theft before it hits store shelves.

Westfield Galleria Senior General Manager Jeff Richardson says the effort is already shifting the criminal landscape.

"The criminals are being captured and they're being prosecuted and that underground reputation is starting to say stay away from Placer County. We're starting to see a reduction in that type of activity in our center," he said.

District Attorney Morgan Gire says that's exactly the point. With Interstate 80 running straight through the county, he says organized groups often target the region.

"We are a hub and a destination f

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