Seal Beach is experiencing a noticeable increase in retail crime events, including pushouts, return scams, and grab-and-runs, according to a statement issued by the Seal Beach Police Department. To address this growing problem, the Seal Beach Police Department has partnered with local retailers to deploy proactive enforcement operations to gather intelligence, identify suspects, and arrest all offenders.
During the 2023 holiday season the Seal Beach Police Department conducted several Organized Retail Crime Directed Enforcement Operations that resulted in multiple arrests, recovered stolen vehicles, and recovered stolen merchandise.
Organized Retail Crime is a growing problem in California, with estimated annual losses totaling $7 billion. To address this growing problem locally, the SBPD has partnered with local retailers to deploy proactive enforcement operations to gather intelligence, identify suspects, and arrest all offenders.
During the months of October, November, and December 2023, the Seal Beach Detective Division conducted six Organized Retail Crime Directed Enforcement Operations that the SBPD describes as largely successful. The operations consist of Seal Beach Police personnel conducting surveillance in local retail establishments, and enforcing retail crimes as they occur by apprehending thieves with zero tolerance. The Directed Enforcement Operations resulted in 25 arrests, two recovered stolen vehicles, five identified suspects related to crimes outside of Seal Beach, and $13,300 in recovered stolen merchandise.
The SPBD is asking anyone with information to contact Detective Sergeant Jeff Gibson at (562) 799-4100 ext. 1172 or jgibson@sealbeachca.gov.
