Police in Costa Mesa continued their fight against organized retail theft rings by arresting a suspect who stole approximately $120,000 in designer merchandise.
The Costa Mesa Police Department posted on Facebook that an employee at “a well-known retail chain” called them to report that clothing, designer handbags and shoes were stolen from the store’s shipping trailer. CMPD’s Facebook post, published Wednesday morning, did not indicate the exact date of the theft.
“Based on the initial investigation, it appeared the suspects were part of an organized retail theft crew,” the department said. “Detectives were able to identify the suspect vehicles and tied them to different homes throughout Southern California.”
The man connected to the Costa Mesa incident was located with stolen property in his possession and arrested, according to local police. Further arrests of theft ring members were made with the help of the California Highway Patrol’s Cargo Theft Team and the Los Angeles Police Department.
“We appreciate our partners and this type of collaboration, which nets these thieves and gets them off the streets,” CMPD said.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities uncover other thefts allegedly perpetrated by the crew.
