The seizure of almost $450,000 in stolen goods led to the arrest of a lady from California.
According to a Facebook post by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), 35-year-old Claudia Cruz is facing charges related to a fencing operation, including organized retail crime, conspiracy to commit crime, possession of stolen property, and possession of stolen goods.
A criminal ring responsible for a string of heists at different Bay Area stores was the subject of an investigation launched last month by the CHP Organized Retail Crime Taskforce (ORCTF).
Suspects thought to be involved in an illegal fencing activity in Oakland, where thieves purchase and sell stolen goods, were identified through surveillance activities.
Police allegedly responded to a flash mob robbery in hours, putting the owner of the Oakland gas station on the sidelines.
An inquiry led to the arrest of a woman from California, who was allegedly found with more than $450,000 worth of stolen goods at her residence, in her vehicles, and her storage facility.
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Search warrants for a home and several cars were procured by detectives using the collected information. On August 15th, the San Ramon Police Department assisted with the execution of the search warrants.
The search turned up a plethora of stolen goods, which the authorities promptly confiscated and sent to a secure location for further documentation.
Cruz rented a storage facility in Oakland, which detectives discovered during their search. Authorities found more looted goods after securing a second search warrant for the warehouse.
Products sold at pharmacies made up the bulk of the stolen property, which had an estimated worth of over $450,000.
Cruz was apprehended and lodged in the Alameda County Jail in the end.