A joint effort by law enforcement from Folsom and El Dorado County targeting Organized Retail Crime (ORC) caught six alleged thieves and resulted in the locating of a runaway juvenile in El Dorado Hills.
According to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, their deputies worked in collaboration with the Folsom Police Department’s Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Team and Target Corporation’s Loss Prevention Officers last week to execute what is referred to as a Blitz Operation this week at the Target store in El Dorado Hills Town Center, a location that has been an ongoing location for Organized Retail Crime strikes.
The operation, aimed at combating Organized Retail Crime (ORC), involved undercover surveillance both inside and outside the store during regular business hours, according to the department.
The coordinated effort led to the indentificarion and contact of six individuals, resulting in four individuals being issued misdemeanor criminal citations and future court appearances. The offenses reportedly ranged from petty theft to fraud and trespassing charges.
The theft targeted operation yielded another significant outcome as during the operation, detectives identified and located a missing runaway juvenile, who was later reunited with family members.
While the effort resulted in citations, it is one step in ongoing efforts to combat organized retail theft. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit emphasized that, “further investigation into these cases may lead to additional charges.”
“The Sheriff’s Office extends gratitude to the Folsom Police Department and Target Corporation for their collaborative efforts in ensuring the safety of the communities they serve,” the department said. “Organized retail theft poses a significant threat to retailers in El Dorado County and neighboring Folsom. Such partnerships are crucial in addressing and preventing criminal activities like Organized Retail Theft.”
Photos provided by El Dorado County Sheriffs Dept.