State Police arrest more than 350 people as part of crackdown on ...

Superintendent Steven G. James today announced that State Police have arrested 359 people and recovered $101,000 in stolen property as the result of the multi-agency retail theft crackdown that was announced by the Governor Hochul last February.

The State Police, working with the New York State Attorney General's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the New York City Police Department, formed partnerships with loss prevention and security teams from numerous large retailers in all regions of the state to share information and coordinate enforcement activities. Each State Police troop also contacted businesses in their area and identified retail locations most affected by theft.

The initiative started on March 15 with increased State Police patrols in the highest-impacted areas identified in each troop, and included intelligence gathering along with coordination with the loss prevention teams at targeted retail businesses. Additionally, State Police specialty units, including the NYS Intelligence Center, Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Unit, Community Stabilization Unit, and the Special Investigations Unit were deployed throughout the state to support this initiative.

During the first 16 weeks of the multi-agency initiative, State Troopers:

• Contacted 482 retail businesses.
• Investigated 412 retail larceny complaints.
• Conducted 237 dedicated retail theft enforcement details.
• Arrested 359 people on 571 separate charges.
• Recovered $101,000 of stolen property.

The New York State Police is appreciative of the law enforcement partners and retail businesses that have contributed to this ongoing effort.