Retail Cannabis Burglary Ring Busted by California Police

A retail burglary ring that targeted cannabis shops in California was busted last week, leading to nearly two dozen arrests, the Los Angeles Times reports. According to state Attorney General Rob Bonta, the suspects stole about 1,000 pounds of cannabis products, including edibles and plants valued at about $1 million, from about 12 cannabis shops and then resold them.  

“Our message to those involved in these crimes has been unwavering. If you organize coordinated retail thefts, if you steal from our businesses and put people, our people, in harm’s way, if you try to make an easy buck off other people’s hard work, we will come for you.” — Bonta, during a press conference, via the Los Angeles Times 

The thefts began last summer and continued into July, Bonta said, adding that the suspects were involved in about 15 incidents across nine counties. Half of the thefts occurred in Santa Cruz County, while others took place in Kern, Merced, Monterey, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, and Solano.  

The suspects are charged with organized retail theft, commercial burglary, conspiracy, and grand theft. Many of those charged have ties to Oakland street gangs, according to Frederick Shavies, deputy chief of the Oakland Police Bureau of Investigations.