‘Shoplift With a Cop’ retail theft sting led to drug seizures, 16 juvenile arrests

Authorities in Ventura County shared the results Thursday of a weekend operation dubbed “Shoplift With a Cop” that led to narcotics seizures and multiple arrests, including several juveniles.

“While many Ventura County residents embraced the holiday spirit of giving at this past weekend’s ‘Shop with a Cop’ event, others had a much different idea and found themselves in handcuffs as a result of the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force’s ‘Shoplift With a Cop’ blitz operation,” the Ventura County sheriff posted on Instagram.  

The task force conducted its holiday-time “blitz” operation at Pacific View Mall in the city of Ventura last Friday and Saturday.

The team partnered with loss prevention teams from Target, JCPenney and Macy’s as well as Allied Security, which provides security services for the mall.

“The operation led to the arrest of 21 adults and 16 juveniles, the recovery of nearly $2,000 in stolen property, and the seizure of burglary tools and various narcotics, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine,” the post read.

The “blitz” operations were described as a common strategy concentrating on specific retail businesses to combat theft.

“This effort highlights the significant shoplifting challenges affecting not only the mall but also businesses across the county,” the Sheriff’s Department stated.

Authorities in Ventura County shared the results Thursday of a weekend operation dubbed “Shoplift With a Cop” that led to narcotics seizures and multiple arrests, including several juveniles. “While many Ventura County residents embraced the holiday spirit of giving at this past weekend’s ‘Shop with a Cop’ event, others had a much different idea and […]