Over $1 million in beauty products seized during California raid, woman arrested: Reports

A Los Angeles woman was arrested on suspicion of being part of a Southern California retail theft ring.

The California Highway Patrol charged Brenda Yanez, 48, with organized retail theft, grand theft, and possession of stolen property. The Los Angeles Times reported that the Organized Retail Crime Task Force of the CHP found over $1 million in alleged stolen goods during a raid on a warehouse in the city of Paramount and a business called The Makeup Store on Tuesday.

CHP has not responded to USA TODAY's request for comment.

According to several local reports, officials linked Yanez to a retail theft ring that has targeted stores like CVS, Sephora, Ulta Beauty, Rite Aid, Nordstrom and 99 Cents Only.

KFSN-TV reported that alongside the alleged stolen merchandise, CHP said they also found "tools used to remove anti-theft devices."

Is shoplifting on the rise?Retail data shows it's fallen in many cities post-pandemic

"CHP investigators will continue to work proactively with our loss prevention partners, allied agencies, and prosecutors through the holidays to combat organized retail crime throughout California," CHP said in a press release sent to KFSN-TV.

According to the Times, several loss prevention experts from impacted stores were also at the bust to help identify stolen items.

While retail theft has decreased in many cities over the past few years, Los Angeles has seen a 61% increase of theft from mid-year 2019 to mid-year 2023.

Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that CHP had made over 1,000 arrests so far this year, a 109% year-over-year increase. Newsom added that the Organized Retail Crime Task Force is "cracking down and stopping organized retail crime."