PORTLAND, Ore. — Last-minute holiday shoppers weren't the only busy ones this weekend.
Ten were arrested at Cascade Station shopping center with thousands of dollars' worth of merchandise recovered during Portland Police Bureau's holiday retail theft mission. Police also arrested another "prolific thief" in North Portland who had allegedly stolen over $60,000 dollars in merchandise from local retailers.
One of the most prolific arrests was of a man with multiple felony warrants, suspected of stealing over $100,000 in merchandise, according to the Portland Police Bureau.
Police also arrested a suspect during a traffic stop at Cascade Station, seizing multiple drugs — including methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin — and $9,463 in cash. The suspect was arrested for DUII.
A joint operation by Portland and Multnomah County police agencies was announced a month ago, intending to crack down on retail theft during the holidays. PPB's Chief Bob Day said theft has increased in Portland by roughly 80% since last year.
"This county-wide collaboration is a message to our businesses, to our shoppers, that we want you to have a safe and prosperous holiday season and those who commit crimes will be arrested," said Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O'Donnell at the time of the announcement.
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