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In Oakland, California, investigators recently uncovered a secret operation that supports mass shoplifting. For two days, they observed a parking lot behind a liquor store, watching as cars arrived and left, each time exchanging jumbo-sized garbage bags in hand-to-hand transactions. This operation, according to authorities, is a part of a larger network of stolen goods trafficking.
The investigation led to the arrest of Jose Cruz-Barragan, 22, and Irene Cruz, 35, who are accused of receiving over $541,000 in stolen property for resale. They are scheduled for a court hearing in two weeks. The operation was part of a broader effort involving both public and private investigations, aimed at curbing one of California's most controversial crimes.
These investigations revealed underground networks of buyers, known as fences, who fuel the multimillion-dollar shoplifting industry. One major fencing operation was linked to an Oakland clothing store owner who allegedly supplied stolen goods to retailers in New York using a Texas-based trucking company.
The case began in September 2023, when two women stole $2,300 worth of products from a Sephora store. This led to the discovery of a network involving stolen merchandise and coded messages about theft plans. The operation culminated in a raid on June 28, 2024, uncovering more than $300,000 in suspected stolen goods.
Authorities continue to investigate these networks, which have ties to various locations, including flea markets in Galt and Modesto. Despite the arrests, the issue remains pervasive, with stolen goods frequently appearing in various markets across the state.