Each week, the California Highway Patrol issues a roundup of notable incidents involving the organization and its officers.
This past week saw security provided at a high profile gathering as well as crackdowns on retail crime.
Forces Unite At APEC
Over 1,000 CHP personnel, both uniformed and professional staff, were on hand to assist the United States Secret Service and the San Francisco Police Department with security and law enforcement operations throughout the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2023 Summit. It is part of the CHP’s mission to aid other law enforcement agencies as necessary and requested. Combining resources and partnerships enhances law enforcement’s effectiveness in large scale incidents such as APEC.
Retail Theft Operation
A recent coordinated effort by the CHP, its law enforcement partners, and retail personnel in northern California, resulted in the recovery of loaded firearms and more than $350,000 in stolen retail merchandise. The successful execution of the search warrants exemplifies the effectiveness of partnerships and collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies, and the retail industry in combating and dismantling organized retail crime networks within California.
Crime Crackdown
A joint effort led by the CHP was conducted earlier this month to combat retail crime, resulting in 137 arrests, the recovery of over $60,000 in stolen goods, and the retrieval of three stolen vehicles. The success of this operation is thanks to a strong collaboration between CHP Investigators from the Border Division Organized Retail Theft Task Force (ORCTF), the San Diego Organized Retail Crime Association, and CHP ORCTF teams in Southern, Central, Golden Gate, and Valley Divisions. These teams partnered with law enforcement agencies and retail representatives across California.
Highway Heist Halted
A Visalia Area CHP officer conducting a traffic stop on Highway 99 in Tulare County I mid-November discovered a stolen big rig filled with $250,000 worth of stolen electronics. The driver was taken into custody and booked into Tulare County Jail on charges of auto theft, possession of stolen property, and resisting arrest.
Stolen Military Vehicle
Santa Rosa Area CHP officers and Sonoma County Sheriff’s deputies earlier this month found the Humvee that was stolen on July 3, 2023, from the National Guard Armory in Santa Rosa. Earlier that same morning, dispatchers received a call that a man in a camouflage Humvee shot at a utility truck parked on Highway 116 in Jenner, California. Officers responded and a pursuit ensued. With the help of a spike strip deployment from Petaluma Police Department, the Humvee eventually came to a stop and the driver was arrested and booked into jail on a handful of felony charges.
