A trove of stolen merchandise, traced back mostly to Target and JCPenney, was recovered this week from a Pacoima pawn shop that authorities suspect was operating as a fence for organized retail thieves, authorities announced.
“By targeting locations that facilitate the resale of stolen goods, the department aims to dismantle the infrastructure that fuels theft and protect local businesses and consumers,” San Fernando Police stated in a news release.
Over $27,000 worth of stolen goods were recovered from Allrite Pawn Shop in Pacoima. Many of the goods were traced back to Target and JC Penney. (Courtesy of the City of San Fernando)
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Photos of the confiscated merchandise, worth upwards of $27,000, included Ninja and Keurig coffee makers, Dyson and Roomba vacuum cleaners and other items.
In addition to seizing the goods from the Allrite Pawn Shop, on Tuesday, Dec. 3, police arrested the owner, a 38-year-old Arleta man, on suspicion of one felony count of receiving stolen property.
Arrests of various known boosters, or chronic shoplifters, in San Fernando and other areas across the past four months led authorities to this shop, according to Sergeant Pete Aguirre of the San Fernando police. Police worked in conjunction with loss prevention personnel from the stores items were stolen from, Aguirre said.