As the world embraces the holiday spirit, ventura county The Organized Retail Theft Task Force's Operation Cop-Shoplifting Blitz ensures the festive spirit is even safer.
Authorities in Ventura County, Calif., on Thursday shared the results of a project called Operation Weekend "Shoplifting with the Cops" The operation resulted in the seizure of drugs and the arrest of 37 suspects, including several teenagers.
"This operation resulted in the arrest of 21 adults and 16 juveniles, the recovery of nearly $2,000 in stolen property, and the seizure of burglary tools and various narcotics, including Fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine," according to a statement.
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The task force conducted a holiday "blitz" at Pacific View Mall in Ventura on Friday and Saturday.
"This effort highlights the significant challenges faced by shoplifting, which affects not only shopping malls but businesses across the county," the Sheriff's Department said.
The operation was the result of detectives working with the task force, the Sheriff's West County Special Enforcement Team, the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation and loss prevention and asset protection team members from Target, JCPenney, Macy's and Allied Security.
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Sheriff's Office expresses county's retailers' wishes retail theft Reach out and participate in similar blitz operations in the future.
Please call their main line at (805) 383-8703 to participate, the statement said.
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Ventura County’s Organized Retail Theft Task Force was formed after the Sheriff’s Office received a grant from the California Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program.