Hemet, California – On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, members of the Hemet Police Department’s Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Team, with the assistance of Menifee Police Department’s Problem Orientated Police (POP) Team conducted an Organized Retail Theft Sting at Lowes Home Improvement Store in the City of Hemet.
This collaborative effort to fight retail crime resulted in 1 arrest for shoplifting and the recovery of more than $680.00 in stolen merchandise. This subject was ultimately transported to Riverside County Jail and the case was filed with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.
Detectives were able to cultivate several leads for additional Organized Retail Theft crimes during this operation.
The success of this operation is greatly attributed to the strong partnership between the Hemet Police Department and our local retailers.
The Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Team is funded by a State of California grant that was awarded to the Hemet Police Department by the Board of State and Community Corrections to combat Organized Retail Theft in our city.
We encourage you to report any retail theft incidents to the Hemet Police Department at (951)765-2400. Alternatively, you can provide anonymous information through the Hemet Police Department’s smartphone app, available for free at the Apple App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android users. Your vigilance and cooperation are crucial in our fight against organized retail theft.
