Washington County Sheriff's Office detectives arrested seven people during an organized retail theft operation near Beaverton on Thursday, Sept. 24.

Detectives and uniformed patrol deputies worked alongside asset-protection staff at Fred Meyer and Target in unincorporated Washington County, according to a sheriff's office media release published Tuesday, Sept. 29. The teams identified people suspected of theft and took seven into custody on allegations of theft, outstanding arrest warrants and criminal mischief, which involved property damage.

Deputies recovered hundreds of dollars' worth of merchandise from those arrested. The sheriff's office, which operates a station in Bethany, did not name the individuals or identify the specific store locations.

The operation is the first in a planned series. The sheriff's office said it will continue working with retailers and other law enforcement agencies on missions targeting organized retail theft across Washington County.

A grant from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (CJC), secured by the Washington County District Attorney's Office, funded the Sept. 24 mission. Separately, a $1.5 million state grant awarded through Oregon's Organized Retail Theft Grant program has backed the county's broader task force work, including detective positions and equipment.

That grant also funded a May 16 task force operation on SW Tualatin Valley Highway that netted three arrests and roughly $36,000 in stolen merchandise, according to a Tigard Police Department news release. District Attorney Kevin Barton said in the May 29 release, "Washington County has a zero-tolerance policy for all types of crime, including retail theft."

Sheriff Caprice Massey has led the multi-agency task force effort alongside Barton. The sheriff's office runs mobile camera trailers and smaller surveillance units in coordination with the DA's office and partner agencies to address organized retail crime, Cedar Mill News reported in December 2025.

No formal charges against the seven people arrested Sept. 24 have been confirmed.

Residents who witness retail theft or suspicious activity can contact the Washington County Sheriff's Office at 503-629-0111 for non-emergencies.