13 Arrested During Retail Theft Bust In Santa Clara County: Police

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — An operation targeting a large retail theft ring operating in Santa Clara County resulted in more than a dozen arrests and the recovery of stolen items valued at $150,000, authorities announced Thursday.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office said its "high impact team" partnered with Home Depot to take down the crime ring and its fencing operation, serving search warrants earlier this month with assistance from the San Jose and Campbell police departments.

Investigators served warrants at two San Jose homes on April 9, where the task force made 13 arrests and recovered the stolen merchandise, officials said. According to the sheriff's office, items worth a combined $110,000 were taken from Home Depot stores, and $40,000 in other items were stolen from Target, Kohl's, Lowe's, Macys and Sunglass Hut.

Sheriff Robert Jonsen said the successful operation illustrated the usefulness of partnering directly with retailers to combat large-scale theft operations.

"By working together with our community partners, we can effectively deter and apprehend those involved in organized retail theft," Jonsen said.