AG Bonta: 22 Arrested, Including Bay Area Gang Members, For Robbing From California Cannabis Stores

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Thursday that authorities have arrested 22 people for allegedly stealing from cannabis stores across the state. The attorney general said the arrests stem from a months-long investigation between state and local authorities that determined the 22 people stole from cannabis stores from Sonoma County to San Diego.

“It spanned a nine-month period, a geographic span of nine counties and 15 separate incidents,” Attorney General Bonta said.

According to the Oakland Police Department, 12 of the 22 arrested are from Oakland and are members of Oakland street gangs. Some of the gangs even worked together.

“The individuals involved were also involved with groups or gangs in the city of Oakland,” said Deputy Chief Frederick Shavies. “What we also found is that this criminal enterprise, if you will, involved a number of gangs. A number of gangs that we saw working together to commit these crimes.”

MORE: Governor Newsom signs 10 bills to combat retail crime, car theft and sale of stolen goods

The attorney general’s office charges these 22 individuals with commercial burglary, organized shoplifting and conspiracy.

“We are talking about coordinated schemes,” Attorney General Bonta said. “Organized efforts that harm our businesses and threaten our communities.”

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said the investigation aligns with the city’s ceasefire strategy, which aims to curb gang violence.

“There are about 300 or 350 people who are committing these crimes,” she said. “We also know that these very violent criminals or suspects are the same people, the majority of them, the same people who are committing the property crimes. Stealing your catalytic converter, breaking into restaurants.”