California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has announced the arrest of and charges against 17 individuals in a robbery scheme that targeted Apple retail stores in the state. In total, the plan resulted in the loss of over $1 million.
The arrests came following an investigation conducted by the San Luis Obispo Police Department and the Oakland Police Department, with the assistance of the California Department of Justice eCrime Unit. The investigation followed a series of thefts at Apple retail stores in 19 counties.
On Sept. 25, seven individuals were arrested and booked in the Alameda County Jail. Another individual is in custody in Sonoma County, while arrest warrants have been issued for nine additional suspects.
According to Becerra:
Organized retail thefts cost California business owners millions and expose them to copycat criminals. Ultimately, consumers pay the cost of this merchandise hijacking.
We will continue our work with local law enforcement authorities to extinguish this mob mentality and prosecute these criminals to hold them accountable.
The investigation by the California Attorney General’s office continues.
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