Almost $200K in stolen items from Bay Area stores recovered

[Auggie]

Posting because it underscores the breadth of what has been stolen or can be stolen from retail merchants. $200 grand is a lot of clothing and sundries.

This is a recovery from one "fence"—not necessarily the actual thief. Imagine how many more there are out there.

Story from the San Francisco Chronicle:

A Contra Costa County man was arrested last week for his alleged role in a retail theft scheme that pocketed thousands of dollars of merchandise from Bay Area retailers, the California Highway Patrol announced.

Investigators with CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force recovered around $190,000 worth of stolen merchandise from retailers that included Lululemon, CVS, Walgreens, Target, Rite Aid, Express, TJX, Ross and Victoria’s Secret at a house in El Sobrante on Thursday, CHP Golden Gate said in a statement following the bust. Officials also seized roughly $24,000 in cash.

Ngoc Bui Bach, 52, was arrested and booked at the Contra Costa County jail on suspicion of organized retail crime, grand theft and possession of stolen property, officials said.

The arrest comes after a month-long investigation into the alleged illegal fencing operation, CHP said.

LINK (paywall): https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/retail-theft-bust-lululemon-victorias-secreat-18346022.php

According the article, a warrant to search the home was obtained after receiving a tip.