Newsom announces 29,000 arrests in sweeping crackdown on organized retail theft

Summary

• California’s two-year crackdown on organized retail theft has resulted in 29,060 arrests and the seizure of $226 million in stolen goods as of September 2025.

• Backed by a historic $267 million investment, local agencies and district attorneys referred nearly 23,000 cases for prosecution.

• Latest data shows a nearly 19% increase in properties recovered in the latest quarter, with assets returned to businesses totaling $36 million.

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom announced on friday Californiacontinued investment in disruption criminal networks It has led to more than 29,000 arrests for organized retail theft in the past two years.

Supported by the largest public safety investment in state history, local law enforcement is technology and increasing staff numbers to dismantle sophisticated theft rings.

What do we know?

Between October 2023 and September 2025, state-sponsored operations led to 29,060 arrests and 22,896 cases referred for prosecution, according to a statement released by Newsom’s office.

Central to this effort is a $267 million grant package distributed to 55 communities through the State and Community Corrections Commission (BSCC).

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This funding allowed 38 law enforcement agencies to purchase advanced equipment and 13 district attorneys’ offices to implement “vertical prosecution” programs in which a single prosecutor handles a case from start to finish.

In the last quarter (July-September 2025) officers seized approximately $36 million in stolen goods. This increase has contributed to a total increase of $226 million in properties saved since the program’s inception; That’s an increase of nearly 19% in just three months.

timeline

2019: Governor Newsom established the CHP Organized Retail Crime Task Force.

2023: California announced its largest-ever investment to combat organized retail crime as part of its Public Safety Plan.

October 2023: BSCC began distributing $267 million in grants to local communities.

August 2024: Newsom signed a landmark bipartisan package of legislation to strengthen penalties for property crimes and “smash and grab” robberies.

September 2025: The reporting period ended with a record $226 million in property seized and more than 29,000 arrests.

what do they say

“We are sending a clear message: organized retail crime has no place in our communities,” Newsom said.

“By building strong partnerships with local law enforcement, we thwart criminal enterprises, protect small businesses, and ensure those responsible face the consequences of their actions.”

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Added BSCC Board Chair Linda Penner: “ORT grants provide local law enforcement with the tools necessary to strategically dismantle retail criminal networks. With thousands of arrests and millions of dollars in merchandise recovered, we are successfully building a safer environment for both California’s businesses and residents.”

what’s next

The state expects the number of convictions to continue rising as vertical prosecution teams clear a backlog of cases.

The 2024 bipartisan legislation provides new tools for the next phase of enforcement, allowing stolen property to be collected to meet crime thresholds across different victims and counties.

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Meanwhile, California Highway Patrol The task force, which has conducted more than 4,300 investigations since 2019, remains active.

what can you do

Small business owners and residents can learn about local public safety initiatives by visiting: BSCC website To view grant progress summaries and maps.

Suspicious activity or organized retail theft should be reported directly to local law enforcement or through competent authorities. CHP’s Organized Retail Theft reporting portal.

Source

The information in this report is based on official statements and data released by Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office and the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).