STOCKTON, Calif. — A man was arrested in Stockton after California Highway Patrol officials searched a home and found approximately $1 million in allegedly stolen merchandise.
Officials say they searched the home in the 400 block of Berrendo Lane in Stockton after information led them to believe it was being used as a "fence" to buy stolen merchandise and resell it.
"Well, it's a concern because I see things selling there all the time but it just looks like a garage sale or something," said a neighbor who did not want to be identified.
A 52-year-old man was arrested without incident and had a felony warrant related to retail theft, according to CHP. He will be booked in the San Joaquin County Jail.
Merchandise included clothes, shoes, power tools and more from stores, including: TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshall’s, DICK'S Sporting Goods, Kohl's, Macy’s and others, according to officials.
Lee Neves, a spokesman for the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, says the 52-year old suspect didn't steal the items, but actually bought them knowing they were stolen.
"Basically, people who participated in organized retail theft would go and sell it to this individual for pennies on the dollar. He would then take these goods [and] sell them at local flea markets for multiple times what he paid for the stolen goods," said Neves.
An estimated $1 million in stolen items was recovered. Neves says it's one of the largest organized retail theft busts in San Joaquin County.
"District Attorney Ron Freitas looks forward to prosecuting this individual to the fullest extent of the law based on the facts. Granted we have about a million dollars worth of facts in this case. Definitely, the message is gonna be sent out loud and clear that organized retail theft is not welcomed anywhere within the borders of the San Joaquin County," said Neves.
Shocked neighbors say they had no idea this was going on behind closed doors but they're happy someone will be paying the consequences of retail theft.
"It's not right. People shouldn't be doing things like this. There never used to be, you know, you take one thing from a store and they arrest you, but now you can take whatever you want," said the neighbor who did not want to be identified.
