Retail Theft and Criminal Interdiction Mission Yields Positive Results

Press Release

A retail theft and criminal interdiction mission in and around Downtown Portland resulted in numerous arrests and the recovery of thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise.

On Thursday, April 3, 2025, the Neighborhood Response Team (NRT) assigned to Central Precinct, in collaboration with East and North Precinct NRT, Central Bike Squad, a Tigard Police detective, Loss Prevention personnel, and the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office (MCDA), conducted a retail theft and criminal interdiction mission. The primary focus of the mission was to address retail theft, as well as open-air drug use and trafficking, in the Pearl District, Old Town, Pioneer Square, and Downtown Portland. The mission resulted in more than a dozen arrests and the recovery of stolen merchandise valued at more than $3,000.

Mission results:

13 arrests (8 for retail theft)

1 citation issued

$3,921 worth of stolen merchandise recovered

$150 in cash seized

25 grams of crack cocaine seized

During retail theft missions, PPB members work directly with our retail partners to identify, apprehend, and work toward prosecution of these offenders. Following each retail theft mission, officers conduct follow-up and work closely with MCDA to ensure prosecution on these cases.

Retail theft is often more than just shoplifting items for personal use. Many suspects are involved in organized theft rings. That entails stealing items that can easily be sold for cash on the secondary market or returned to stores for a "refund." Returning or attempting to return stolen property, no matter the value, is a class-C felony (https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_164.055 ).

In many cases, these individuals are involved in criminal activity that extends far beyond retail theft, including illegally possessed guns, drug possession and distribution, vehicle theft, and more. Additionally, disrupting theft preserves the viability of retail businesses that serve the Portland community. Therefore, these missions go a long way in improving livability across the area. Mission commanders analyze theft and other crime data to focus their missions on the neighborhoods most impacted by these crimes, which are often large retail shopping complexes.

PPB recognizes that smaller local businesses are also impacted by retail theft and it is our belief and goal that arresting and holding prolific thieves accountable will help reduce these crimes for the entire business community.

PPB would like to thank its partners for their collaboration aimed at addressing retail theft and drug use and trafficking in the Portland area.

###PPB###