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News Image: Text decoration - bulletLoss Prevention Image: Text decoration - bulletLAPD August ORC bust

NRF Applauds Los Angeles Police Department for Major Organized Retail Crime Bust

For Immediate Release
Kathy Grannis (202)783-7971
grannisk@nrf.com

View the LAPD's official press release

NRF Applauds Los Angeles Police Department for Major Organized Retail Crime Bust

-Local and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies; Partners Bust $6 Million Crime Ring-

Washington, August 20, 2010 – The National Retail Federation applauds the Los Angeles Police Department for their efforts in successfully bringing down a notorious Los Angeles-based organized retail crime ring, also known as the Hernandez Operation. The criminals are responsible for stealing at least $6 million worth of stolen merchandise that includes infant baby formula, diapers, health and beauty products, hair care products and other over-the-counter medications.  

For months, the LAPD has been working in concert with the Los Angeles Area Organized Retail Crimes Association, United States Department of Agriculture, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service to track and finally apprehend these criminals. 

“The city of Los Angeles and retailers are celebrating a huge victory today, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the LAPD and their partners,” said Joe LaRocca, NRF’s Senior Asset Protection Advisor. “Organized retail crime continues to plague the nation and as evidenced with this specific crime ring, also proves to be a very dangerous threat to innocent consumers interested in buying baby formula and health products. NRF commends the dedicated professionals who took part in this extensive operation.”

The LAPD Major Crimes Division personnel obtained arrest and search warrants for six persons and 15 locations associated with the enterprise.  Additionally, four banking institutions will comply with the Los Angeles Superior Court search warrants to seize multiple accounts relating to these individuals.  The accounts have shown hundreds of thousands of dollars of transactions during the past several months, representing the illegal activity of the Hernandez organization.

The members arrested are charged with various crimes that include grand theft, commercial burglary, receiving stolen property, conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering.

As the world's largest retail trade association and the voice of retail worldwide, the National Retail Federation's global membership includes retailers of all sizes, formats and channels of distribution as well as chain restaurants and industry partners from the U.S. and more than 45 countries abroad.  In the U.S., NRF represents the breadth and diversity of an industry with more than 1.6 million American companies that employ nearly 25 million workers and generated 2009 sales of $2.3 trillion. www.nrf.com  

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