PORTLAND, Ore. -- Seven people were arrested in connection with what police think was an elaborate shoplifting ring in downtown Portland.

Portland police said a handful of workers at downtown businesses were buying the stolen merchandise.

Back in September, police said they found stolen goods while arresting drug suspect 29-year-old James Younce

Investigators said Younce confessed to them that he was selling it to a number of food cart vendors and businesses including a food cart at SW 9th and Alder.

Police started surveillance on all of the businesses as undercover agents sold what they said was stolen merchandise to vendors in the 300-block of Southwest 5th.

They would buy everything from socks and designer jeans to perfume and Game boys.

Investigators some of the buyers even gave the undercover officers shopping lists full of things they wanted.

Arrested were; 37-year-old Anna Maria Saucedo, 35-year-old Adrian Saldana-Galvez, 34-year-old Nohemi Mendez-Rivera, 22-year-old Octavio Hernandez, 33-year-old Maria Baltierra, 68-year-old Enriqueta Quezada, charged with attempted theft and solicitation to commit theft.

Younce was arrested on a drug warrant.

Police said the victimized stores cooperated in the undercover investigation.

(KGW Reporter Mike Benner contributed to this report)