Roseville police say they have arrested 29 people in a blitz as part of a metro-wide initiative to stop rising retail thefts.

One of the 29 was arrested Wednesday in connection with the felony theft of more than $25,000 in merchandize from stores in Roseville, Maplewood, Richfield, Oakdale, Apple Valley, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie and Rochester. The thefts occurred between June 2024 and March 2025.

“We know organized retail crime is a growing problem in communities across the country. These highly organized crime rings are stealing and reselling millions of dollars in merchandise, negatively impacting local businesses, employees, community members and our local economy,” said Police Chief Erika Scheider. “Roseville Police, in coordination with the Minnesota Organized Retail Crime Association, is taking proactive steps to address these issues in our community.”

During the operation, retailers were instructed to call the Roseville Police Department’s retail unit directly to report thefts in real time. The department then deployed officers and marked squads to the area to be in position when the suspects left the store. Other police staff provided real-time intelligence on suspects and vehicles at various locations and were able to direct police to locate and detain getaway drivers.

Seven of the people arrested were booked at the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center on felony or gross misdemeanor charges. The remaining suspects were issued citations for misdemeanors.

Police recovered more than $5,100 in merchandise that was returned to retailers. Local retailers, including those in Har Mar, Target, Rosedale Center, Rosedale Commons and nearby strip malls, participated by bolstering their staffing, with some bringing in national loss prevention teams to assist.

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