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Press release
A retail theft mission resulted in 36 arrests and the recovery of more than $3,000 in stolen merchandise.
Published
On Friday, May 30th, 2025, the Portland Police Bureau, in partnership with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, and law enforcement agencies across the State of Oregon and the United States, conducted a large-scale retail theft mission. For this mission, PPB focused on retailers in the Mall 205 and Gateway areas, as well as Downtown Portland.
During the operation, law enforcement contacted individuals suspected of theft and other criminal activity. The mission resulted in 36 arrests on a variety of charges, the recovery of more than $3,000 in stolen merchandise and the recovery of two firearms and one stolen vehicle. In addition, 26 outstanding arrest warrants were cleared.
Throughout the State of Oregon, additional retail crime missions were conducted in the following counties:
- Washington County
- Marion County
- Lane County
- Deschutes County
- Jackson County
This nationwide mission was coordinated by the Cook County State’s Attorney Regional Organized Crime Task Force (CCROC) in the State of Illinois (www.ccroc.org). The purpose of this mission was to bring law enforcement, prosecuting attorney’s offices, retailers and organized retail crime associations (ORCAs) across the country together to battle retail crime, as well as identify instances of organized retail crime (ORC).
Friday’s mission was funded in part by the Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Grant Program, created by Oregon Senate Bill 900 (2023) and administered by the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission.
During retail theft missions, PPB members work directly with our retail partners to identify, apprehend, and work toward prosecution of these offenders. Following each retail theft mission, officers conduct follow-up and work closely with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office to ensure prosecution on these cases.
Retail theft is often more than just shoplifting items for personal use. Many suspects are involved in organized theft rings. That entails stealing items that can easily be sold for cash on the secondary market or returned to stores for a “refund.” Returning or attempting to return stolen property, no matter the value, is a class-C felony (https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_164.055 ).
In many cases, these individuals are involved in criminal activity that extends far beyond retail theft, including illegally possessed guns, drug possession and distribution, vehicle theft, and more. Additionally, disrupting theft preserves the viability of retail businesses that serve the Portland community. Therefore, these missions go a long way in improving livability across the area. Mission commanders analyze theft and other crime data to focus their missions on the neighborhoods most impacted by these crimes, which are often large retail shopping complexes.
PPB recognizes that smaller local businesses are also impacted by retail theft and it is our belief and goal that arresting and holding prolific thieves accountable will help reduce these crimes for the entire business community.
PPB would like to thank its partners for their collaboration aimed at addressing retail theft in the Portland Metropolitan area. Additional missions are planned for the future.
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