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Sarasota News Leader August 9 & 16, 2013 Page 85 59 ARRESTED IN RETAIL THEFT CRACKDOWN BY SHERIFF'S OFFICE Sarasota County Sheriff's deputies made 59 arrests and obtained warrants for two additional suspects during Operation Booster Buster, a crackdown on retail theft by individuals and organized crime rings, Sheriff Tom Knight announced during a press conference on Aug. 1. During the operation, which spanned about eight days, deputies worked two retail corridors: Cattlemen Road just south of Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota, and U.S. 41 just south of Jacaranda Boulevard in Venice, the release continues. Store loss prevention employees reported crimes directly to the operation serThe Sheriff's Office formed a unique pub- geant, and personnel moved in to apprehend lic-private partnership with several major re- the suspects and immediately recover stolen tailers to curb retail theft, "which is a global merchandise, it adds. issue and multi-million-dollar problem locally," a news release says. "Retail theft adds to The 59 people arrested have nearly 1,000 prithe rising cost of doing business and impacts or charges and now face 99 new charges, the merchants and consumers alike." release notes. Fifteen prolific offenders were A Sheriff's Office poster shows the people arrested during Operation Booster Buster. Image courtesy Sheriff's Office