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SALT LAKE CITY — Police officers arrested 28 people over the weekend in a multi-day blitz aimed at preventing shoplifting during the holiday season.
The Utah Attorney General's Crimes Against Statewide Economy task force conducted Operation Holiday Steals, a blitz that resulted in 28 arrests and $12,000 of recovered stolen property. Officers patrolled for retail theft at Home Depot, Nordstrom, Target, Ross, T.J.Maxx, Sierra, HomeGoods, Old Navy and Kohl's.
The Utah Attorney General's Office said out of the 28 arrested, there were two parole fugitives, one parole violation, one narcotics arrest and three felony arrests from an "organized retail theft crew" who were charged with similar crimes in other states.
Shoplifting seems to always plague the holiday season and organized retail crime has cost Utah businesses upward of $1 billion, the attorney general's office says.
Police engaged in foot pursuits of four individuals. Several thieves utilized specific tools to remove security devices from merchandise, a statement from the attorney general said. Another person was found to have eight counterfeit $100 bills.
Cottonwood Heights, Salt Lake and Taylorsville police departments aided in the anti-theft sting. Sandy, Park City and South Salt Lake police departments as well as Adult Probation and Parole, the state fire marshall, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. postal inspectors assisted with personnel and equipment in the operation.
A statement from Salt Lake police said officers are committed to reducing retail thefts to protect businesses and ensure community safety. The police department said officers will have a "visible presence" in the city's retail districts throughout the holiday season.
"Operations like this send a clear message that thieves will not have impunity here in Salt Lake City," police chief Mike Brown said. "Our local retail industry connects our community to the world, and retail theft is a serious offense that impacts everyone."
Salt Lake police said to never engage with thieves and to instead prioritize being a good witness and quickly notify law enforcement of anything suspicious.
