Utah Attorney General’s CASE Strike Force (Crimes Against State Economy) concluded Operation Holiday Steals, a multi-day anti-retail theft blitz that resulted in 28 arrests and $12,000 worth of recovered stolen property.
The sweeping anti-theft sting included assistance from Cottonwood Heights Police, Salt Lake City Police, and Taylorsville Police within their respective jurisdictions. In addition, Sandy Police, Park City Police, South Salt Lake Police, Adult Probation and Parole, The State Fire Marshall, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Postal Inspectors assisted the operation with personnel and equipment.
Operation Holiday Steals focused on individuals and groups stealing from nine participating retailers including Home Depot, Nordstrom, Target, Ross, T.J.Maxx, Sierra, HomeGoods, Old Navy, and Kohl’s. Among those apprehended were two AP&P fugitives, one parole violator, one narcotics arrest, and the felony arrest of an organized retail theft crew who have been charged with similar crimes in multiple states.
Four of the individuals led officers on foot pursuits and several of them had specific tools used for removing security devices from merchandise in their possession. One individual had 8 counterfeit $100 bills in his possession.