SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom on June 4 announced significant new progress in California's ongoing effort to combat organized retail theft, with law enforcement agencies reporting 32,613 arrests, 25,843 cases referred for prosecution, and nearly $260 million in recovered stolen goods since October 2023 because of the state’s investments.

The results stem from Governor Newsom's organized retail crime and vertical prosecution grants — record-breaking public safety investments that were awarded to cities and counties to disrupt organized criminal networks, support local law enforcement, and strengthen accountability for retail theft offenders.

In 2023, Governor Newsom launched the largest-ever state investment to combat organized retail theft, awarding more than $242 million to 38 local law enforcement agencies through the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC). The funding supports dedicated enforcement teams, investigative technology, regional operations, partnerships with retailers, and additional personnel focused on organized retail crime.

The investment is producing measurable results. In the most recent reporting quarter alone, agencies arrested 3,553 suspects and referred 2,947 cases for prosecution.