Arlington Police are stepping up their response to retail theft—and last Friday’s crackdown in Pentagon City shows just how serious they’re getting.
On August 22, officers from the Evening Patrol Section, Community Action Team (CAT), and Criminal Investigations Section (CIS) teamed up with store managers and regional partners for a targeted enforcement operation. Over the course of the day, they arrested 15 people and recovered thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise.
The charges weren’t limited to shoplifting. In total, police reported 15 felonies and 30 misdemeanors, ranging from larceny and possession of stolen goods to narcotics offenses. One individual allegedly threatened to kill officers during the arrest and now faces an obstruction charge.
Officers also served 20 trespass notices, effectively banning certain suspects from returning to area retailers.
Retail Theft Still a Growing Issue
“Retail theft continues to be an area of focus for our officers and detectives,” said Police Chief Andy Penn. “We see individuals and groups who cause serious financial harm, and sometimes, things turn violent—store employees have been hurt trying to stop these thefts.”
Chief Penn emphasized the collaborative nature of this operation, thanking local businesses for helping police track suspects and coordinate enforcement.
“With the help of our regional law enforcement partners and the Arlington business community, we are working to disrupt this type of criminal activity and are sending a message: if you steal here, we will find you.”
Businesses Encouraged to Stay Alert
The Arlington County Police Department also released a set of safety tips for retailers to help prevent shoplifting. They recommend:
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Greeting customers as they walk in to signal staff awareness.
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Maintaining visibility throughout the store.
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Using mirrors to eliminate blind spots.
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Keeping high-value items away from exits.
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Training employees to watch for suspicious activity and report it quickly.
For crimes in progress, business owners are urged to call 703-558-2222 immediately. Non-urgent reports can be submitted online.