$500K in stolen retail merch recovered during Salem organized crime bust

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Marion County Sheriff’s Office recovered an estimated $495,000 in merchandise stolen from retail stores while serving a search warrant at a property on Evergreen Ave. in northeast Salem on Aug. 19.

The search was part of months-long investigation into an organized retail theft ring, the Sheriff's Office said.

“During the search warrant service, investigators found a large amount of new merchandise believed to be stolen from stores, including over 2,200 Lego sets, over 8,500 videos and video sets, DVD, 4K, and Blu-Ray, over 800 vinyl records, and over 1,000 toys,” the MCSO said.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested 48-year-old Salem man Salvador Barraza in connection to the suspected retail theft ring. Barraza is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. on Sept. 16, and faces charges of organized retail theft, money laundering, and theft by receiving in the first degree.

The Salem Police Department, the Oregon Department of Justice, Target, Barnes & Noble Walmart and Fred Meyer helped the sheriff’s office with the investigation.

“The Marion County Sheriff’s Office successfully apprehended the suspect in this organized retail theft investigation,” Salem PD said. “Regional agencies, like Salem Police, lent some assistance. Their investigative efforts made an impact on the problem in and around the Salem-Keizer area.”