RLP NEWS
OAKLAND, Calif. – Thousands of dollars worth of stolen merchandise were recovered by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) on Wednesday, following a failed traffic stop that led authorities to a suspect involved in organized retail crime.
Deputies attempted to pull over the suspect, but the driver fled at high speed. In order to prioritize public safety, ACSO did not pursue the vehicle in a chase. Instead, air units tracked the vehicle, which was seen entering a dead-end street at 41st Avenue near E. 16th Street in Oakland.
When deputies arrived, the suspect initially refused to exit the vehicle, but the situation was eventually resolved peacefully, and the individual was taken into custody without further incident. The ACSO stated that the suspect has a long criminal history involving theft and believes the recovered merchandise is connected to organized retail crime operations.
The items seized from the suspect’s vehicle included sunglasses, cell phone accessories, and fragrances, believed to have been stolen from various retail stores across East Bay cities.
The suspect, who has not been named, was booked into Santa Rita Jail on charges including driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, and other related offenses. The investigation into the theft and its possible connections to broader retail crime networks is ongoing.