California has taken a bite out of organized retail theft as a result of significant investments in enforcement and prosecution over the past two-and-a-half years, according to statistics released by Governor Gavin Newsom last week.

An update from the Golden State’s law enforcement agencies tallied 32,613 arrests, 25,843 cases referred for prosecution, and almost $260 million in recovered stolen goods since October 2023.

Newsom’s office pointed to cash infusions into organized retail crime and vertical prosecution grants that have bolstered county- and city-level law enforcement as well as legal efforts to hold criminals responsible for such crimes as shoplifting, fencing operations, flash mobs and property damage.

“Public safety starts with accountability. Over the last two years, we’ve made the largest investment in state history to combat organized retail theft, giving local law enforcement and prosecutors the tools they need to dismantle criminal networks, recover stolen property, and keep our communities safe,” Newsom said. “The results speak for themselves: tens of thousands of arrests, thousands of cases headed to prosecution, and nearly $260 million in stolen goods recovered.”

2023 saw record investment—to the tune of $242 million—in 38 of California’s local law enforcement agencies for the explicit purpose of bolstering organized retail crime-fighting efforts. Dispensed through the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC), the money has gone to creating dedicated retail crime enforcement teams, technology to aid in investigations, regional operations, partnerships with local retailers, and the hiring of operatives focused on combatting organized retail crime.

Last quarter alone, agencies in California arrested 3,553 suspects and referred 2,947 cases for prosecution.

“California’s investment in combating organized retail theft continues to pay dividends,” BSCC Board Chair Linda Penner said.

“The grants provide local law enforcement agencies with the resources needed to investigate complex criminal operations, resulting in thousands of arrests, increased case referrals for prosecution, and the recovery of millions of dollars in stolen property,” she added.

Recently, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department recovered about $4 million in stolen cargo freight from retailers like Foot Locker and Ulta, which was taken by a theft ring. The Costa Mesa Police Department recovered $150,000 in cash and products through an investigation that targeted the online resale of the illicitly-gotten goods. Through 29 enforcement operations, the San Jose Police Department arrested and cited 72 suspects in conjunction with retail theft operations during the reporting period.

The state has also made novel investments in prosecution through a vertical prosecution grant program worth $24 million.

Under the program, 13 district attorneys’ offices were given funding to support prosecutors handling retail theft cases from investigation through the conviction stage, an effort the governor’s office said has created greater coordination between investigators, retailers and prosecutors. Prosecutors funded by the grants secured 2,615 convictions related to retail theft cases, up 18 percent from the prior quarter, and almost 85 percent were felony convictions.

These results are indicative of overarching trends, Newsom’s office said. Preliminary 2025 data from the FBI that covers California law enforcement agencies showed that property crime decreased more than 14 percent from the previous year.