BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Bellingham Police Department (BPD) and Fred Meyer collaborated on a pair of retail theft emphasis patrols earlier this month, resulting in over 20 arrests.
In a release, the BPD said the Fred Meyer location at West Bakerview Road has been "significantly impacted by theft."
Police said 23 people were arrested during emphasis patrols on Dec. 5 and Dec. 10. Police said most of the cases began after a theft was observed. Some of the suspects arrested were brought in on suspicion of more serious charges.
Police said 63 grams of meth was recovered from one person who was arrested, as well as a "realistic-looking airsoft pistol." The majority of those arrested were with probable cause for theft and/or shoplifting, police said, but other potential charges included possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a felony warrant and violation of a domestic violence no-contact order.
One suspect with a Department of Corrections warrant was taken into custody.
Bellingham is not the only city where police are increasingly focused on retail theft as the holidays approach.
Bellevue police shared a release in November that shoplifting incidents have risen 9% compared to 2023. The department said about 37% of crimes committed in Bellevue are retail theft incidents, the most common offense in the city. Police launched a "Stop The Lift" effort in late 2024 to combat the rise in retail thefts.
One example shared by police was catching suspects connected to thefts at Lululemon locations in town which totaled $500,000 in lost revenue.
