Oakland woman arrested after CHP finds $450,000 worth of stolen retail items

OAKLAND – Investigators pursuing a series of shoplifting incidents were able to trace more than $450,000 worth of stolen goods to a fencing operation at an Oakland residence, the California Highway Patrol said Friday.

Claudia Cruz, 35, of Oakland, was charged with organized retail crime, possession of stolen goods and conspiracy to commit a crime, the CHP said.

An Organized Retail Crime Task Force comprised of investigators from the CHP's Golden Gate Division launched an investigation in July into a criminal network involved in a series of shoplifting incidents targeting various retailers throughout the Bay Area, the Highway Patrol said.

Stolen goods, mainly drugstore items, were seized in the Oakland home, two vehicles and a storage room, police said.