Portland Police Raid Criminal Shoplifting Ring and Arrest 24 Suspects, Seizing Drugs, Merchandise, and Cash

In a joint operation organized by the Portland Police Bureau, 24 people were arrested, a stolen vehicle was recovered, 19 grams of illicit drugs were seized, and stolen merchandise worth more than $2,600 was recovered in the Jantzen Beach and Delta Park areas.

Following the successful retail theft mission on Sunday, PPB assures business owners and the community that it will remain vigilant to this type of crime that often involves more serious acts like the illegal possession of firearms, drugs, and vehicle theft.

The PPB officers worked with business retailers to identify and apprehend suspects.

The police say that retail theft involves more than shoplifting items for personal use.

Many suspects are involved in organized crime rings involving the theft of items that can easily be liquidated for cash, either by sale or as refunds to the shops from which the items were stolen.

The PPB reminds attempting to return, or successfully returning stolen property is a class-C felony, irrespective of the amount involved.

Although large shopping complexes are generally targeted for retail theft, PPB says that smaller, local businesses are also affected.

In a news release, the PPB says they believe that by arresting and holding shoplifters accountable, police retail theft missions will reduce crime to the benefit of the entire business community.

PPB was assisted in Sunday’s swoop by the Neighborhood Response Team assigned to the North Precinct, in collaboration with patrol officers, Narcotics and Organized Crime (NOC) Unit, theK-9 Unit, business partners, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, and the Organized Retail Crime Association of Oregon.