Five people have been convicted of crimes linked to a Bay Area multimillion-dollar retail theft ring.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Friday that multiple people, who have not yet been named, were facing prison time for their roles in what he called one of the "largest theft-ring busts in state history."
Law enforcement officers seized $8 million worth of stolen merchandise from popular retail stores such as CVS, Walgreens and Target, at warehouses, residences and storage facilities owned by the ring.
The investigation, which began in April 2020, revealed a theft ring where five suspects transported, stored and sold merchandise stolen from the Bay Area. The stolen goods, including over-the-counter medication, were resold on eBay and other consumer sales websites.
Bonta said the bust is a warning shot to those considering similar crimes. "You will be held accountable," he stated. "You will face consequences."
The arrests follow a series of brazen smash-and-grabs in the Bay Area involving hundreds of perpetrators and upset retailers. It was not immediately clear if the five suspects were implicated in any of the recent robberies.
