Watch: Detectives Recover Nearly $1M In Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Arrest Petaluma Man

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Detectives recovered nearly $1 million in suspected stolen property and arrested a 62-year-old Petaluma man following a months-long investigation into an alleged stolen-goods resale operation, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said.

Detectives identified Carlos Loyan as a suspected "fence" who bought and resold stolen merchandise, according to the sheriff's office.

At about 7 a.m. July 28, detectives with the sheriff's Property Crimes Unit served seven search warrants in Rohnert Park, Petaluma, and Santa Rosa. The Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit and investigators from the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office assisted with the searches.

Investigators seized nearly $1 million worth of suspected stolen merchandise, including gold, silver, jewelry, firearms, toys, comic books, tools, and household goods, the sheriff's office said.

Deputies arrested Loyan on suspicion of felony organized retail theft with intent to sell, exchange, or return merchandise, felony receiving known stolen property, failing as a secondhand dealer to report property to law enforcement, and operating as a secondhand dealer without a license.

Authorities later cited Loyan to appear in court and released him.

The sheriff's office said "fences" facilitate organized retail theft by buying and reselling stolen merchandise, providing thieves with a market for stolen goods.

Authorities said organized retail theft operations commonly target alcohol, cosmetics, fragrances, medications, clothing, tools, gift cards, and other high-demand merchandise.