PHOTOS: $326K of stolen goods recovered in Oakland

Phil Mayer
·1 min read

(KRON) — Law enforcement recovered more than $326,000 worth of stolen goods from a suspected fencing operating in Oakland, according to the San Ramon Police Department. Products from stores like Walmart, TJ Maxx and Sunglass Hut were seized by police.

California Highway Patrol began an investigation into the operation in September after the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office (SMCSO) arrested several people believed to be involved in the theft of these items. Police described this as a fencing operation, which entails reselling stolen goods.

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San Ramon police linked two females to the retail theft ring after they were arrested on suspicion of stealing $13,000 worth of cosmetics from Sephora at City Center Bishop Ranch in November.

CHP, SMCSO and SRPD collaborated to bust the fencing operation. They obtained search warrants for two homes in Oakland and a storage container.

The stolen goods located by law enforcement were taken from Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Target, Kohl’s, TJ Maxx, Safeway, Rite Aid and Sunglass Hut. The total estimated value is $326,693. Police also found $12,196 made from selling stolen goods. See images from CHP below:

Octavio Ambriz-Valle, 52, of Oakland was arrested on April 17 on counts of organized retail crime, grand theft, possession of stolen property and conspiracy to commit a crime, CHP said.

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