Security guard watching CCTV footage

Real Consequences. Real Action.

Ventura County is taking action on organized theft. Through coordinated effort between the Sheriff’s Office, local police departments, and the District Attorney, offenders are being investigated, arrested, and prosecuted.

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Here’s how Ventura County is responding:

  • Targeted enforcement operations focused on high-theft retail corridors and known theft rings
  • Coordinated investigations between law enforcement and retailers
  • Felony charges and jail time pursued when possible under California law
  • Collaboration with prosecutors to ensure cases are charged appropriately and offenders are held accountable

Organized Retail Theft Grant Statistics

Jan–Dec 2024
Jan–Sept 2025
TOTAL
Cases Investigated
225
203
428
Search Warrants
134
154
288
Felony Arrests
218
116
334
Misdemeanor Arrests
73
21
94
Recovered Stolen Property Value
$663,455.27
$11,358,137.00
$12,021,592.27
Recovered Vehicles
7
2
9
Recovered Vehicle Parts
0
1
1
Guns Seized During Investigations
4
1
5
Grams of Fentanyl Seized During Investigations
45
28
73
Grams of Heroin Seized During Investigations
0
25
25
Grams of Methamphetamine Seized During Investigations
219
47.5
266.5

Know the law

We want would-be offenders to know we’re watching, and we’re prosecuting.

Ventura County law enforcement is leveraging state laws that allow organized retail theft to be prosecuted as a felony in cases involving:

  • Theft totaling over $950 – including aggregation across multiple incidents
  • Coordinated efforts by multiple individuals – acting in concert to commit theft
  • Intent to resell stolen merchandise – including fencing or online resale
  • Catalytic converter theft – now targeted under new California laws requiring VIN etching, criminalizing unlicensed possession of 9+ units (AB 641)
  • Cargo theft over $950 in value – classified as felony grand theft under Penal Code 487
  • Possession of stolen goods tied to organized retail crime – subject to prosecution even without in-store theft

Legislation: