Governor Newsom Announces Record Gains in Fight Against Organized Retail Theft in California

The ORCTF, established in 2019, has been instrumental in disrupting organized crime rings across the state.Photo byBermix StudioonUnsplash

Governor Gavin Newsom announced today that the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has made significant strides in combating organized retail theft, with July showing a record 212% increase in criminal investigations and 106% more arrests compared to the previous month. The heightened efforts of California's Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) led to 128 investigations and the arrest of 167 suspects in July alone, more than doubling the number of arrests made in June.

Since the beginning of 2024, the ORCTF has facilitated 884 arrests and conducted 448 investigations, recovering over $7.2 million worth of stolen goods. These results are part of a broader, statewide initiative to curb organized retail crime, supported by substantial investments in law enforcement and community safety.

"The state’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force is responding readily and at record pace to crack down on organized criminals attempting to rip off California’s storefronts," said Governor Newsom. "This demonstrates a continued commitment to enforcing public safety and protecting our communities. I’d like to thank the dedicated officers of the California Highway Patrol for their diligent work enforcing our laws and holding criminals accountable."

Since its inception, the task force has arrested more than 2,900 suspects and recovered over $45 million in stolen assets.