UCPD makes 2 arrests for organized retail theft during routine traffic stop
A UCPD car is pictured. UCPD arrested two people for organized retail theft Monday after a routine traffic stop, police said in an emailed statement. (Daily Bruin file photo)
By Prannay Veerabahu
March 4, 2025 12:23 p.m.
UCPD arrested two people for organized retail theft Monday.
UCPD conducted a traffic stop for a routine violation, said Jeffrey Chobanian, UCPD’s acting captain of the administrative bureau, in an emailed statement. During the stop, police identified that the driver had an active arrest warrant for prostitution, Chobanian added in the statement.
Police arrested one woman and one man on Gayley Avenue near the Whole Foods Market. Neither suspect was affiliated with UCLA, Chobanian said in the statement.
Both suspects were charged with felonies, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department inmate locator website. The first suspect does not have any prior charges and had bail set at $100, while the second suspect had at least two prior misdemeanor charges for theft and is currently being held at $40,000 bail.
Police identified trace quantities of methamphetamine in their car, but officers did not believe the suspects intended to sell the drugs, Chobanian said in the statement.
Photos released by UCPD showed a large collection of seized over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, vitamin supplementals, clothing, alcohol, food and beauty products. The suspects were both charged with theft of lost property and possession of drug paraphernalia, Chobanian said in the statement.
The second suspect was also arrested for organized retail theft, a charge used for suspects who intend to resell stolen merchandise, UCPD said in an Instagram post.
“Officers recovered approximately 300 stolen items from stores, including Ralphs and CVS,” Chobanian said in the statement. “The investigation is ongoing to determine their total value.”
