9 arrested in Cornelius Walmart, Fred Meyer retail theft mission

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Nine people have been arrested following a retail theft mission at a Cornelius Walmart and Fred Meyer led by Washington County Sheriff’s Office, authorities announced Wednesday.

On May 2, detectives with the Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Cornelius Walmart and Fred Meyer locations in an effort to address organized retail crimes.

During the mission, detectives worked with the stores’ asset protection staff to identify people engaging in retail crime, authorities explained.

The investigation led to eight arrests for theft and criminal mischief charges, with one of the arrests being for an outstanding warrant, Washington County Sheriff’s Office said.

The next day, a ninth person was arrested during an investigation into return fraud at Walmart.

Overall, authorities say hundreds of dollars of merchandise were recovered from those who were arrested.

Further details of the mission and retail thefts were not immediately available.