Investigators assigned to the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Golden Gate Division Organized Retail Crime Taskforce (ORCTF) recovered over $450,000 in stolen merchandise from an Oakland residence following a month-long investigation.
In July 2024, ORCTF investigators launched an investigation into a criminal network involved in a string of retail thefts targeting various retailers throughout the Bay Area. Through surveillance operations, investigators identified suspects believed to be involved in an illicit fencing operation based in Oakland. With the information gathered, investigators obtained search warrants for a home and multiple vehicles located in Oakland.
On Thursday, August 15, ORCTF investigators, along with San Ramon Police Department personnel, successfully executed the warrants at the Oakland residence. During the search of the home and the two vehicles, investigators located a large amount of stolen merchandise, which was seized and transported to a facility for documenting. During the search, investigators learned that the suspect was currently leasing a storage facility in Oakland, leading to the issuance of an additional search warrant. The storage facility was searched, and additional stolen merchandise was located inside. Retail industry partners involved in the operation valued the recovered merchandise, consisting mainly of items found at drug stores, from all locations at over $450,000.
Investigators arrested 35-year-old Claudia Cruz of Oakland for her involvement in the fencing operation. Cruz was booked into Alameda County Jail on charges of organized retail crime, possession of stolen property, and conspiracy to commit a crime.