A focused enforcement operation aimed at disrupting organized retail theft activity resulted in multiple arrests and preventive actions as Folsom police worked in coordination with a national retailer operating in the city.
On Wednesday, Jan. 28, the Folsom Police Department Special Investigations Unit, working in collaboration with Patrol Operations and the retailer, carried out an Organized Retail Theft “blitz” operation in response to the ongoing rise in retail theft affecting Folsom, the surrounding region and communities statewide.
During the operation, detectives arrested three individuals on a combination of felony and misdemeanor theft charges. Officers also issued a formal trespass notice to a previously identified theft suspect and provided educational intervention to a juvenile suspected of shoplifting, with the goal of preventing future incidents.
Those arrested during the operation were Robert Carroll of Sacramento, Aida Ilie of Sacramento, and Jeronimo Podestaklappenbach of Folsom. Police said all three individuals were known theft suspects from prior incidents and were taken into custody on a combination of felony and misdemeanor theft charges, along with outstanding felony and misdemeanor warrants.
Police noted across social media that organized retail theft has far-reaching impacts beyond individual businesses, contributing to higher costs for consumers and reduced quality of life in the community. The department credited strong partnerships with local retailers as a key component in identifying repeat offenders and addressing theft patterns more effectively.
“The Folsom Police Department is grateful for its strong partnerships with our local business community and their continued collaboration in addressing quality-of-life crimes,” the department shared in a statement. “The men and women of the Folsom Police Department remain committed to serving our community through the proactive, professional, and courageous pursuit of criminal activity.”
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