This operation highlights the connection between retail theft and organized crime, police say.
HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The Hagerstown Police Department has arrested 57 people in “Operation Blue Light Special,” a six-month investigation targeting retail theft linked to drug trafficking and violent crime. The operation, launched in June 2024 under the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN) Initiative, aimed to identify repeat offenders, trace stolen property, and uncover drug networks fueling the thefts.
Key outcomes:
- 57 individuals arrested/charged for theft, vehicle theft, drug offenses, and firearm possession.
- $15,000 worth of stolen goods recovered.
- Links to a homicide in another jurisdiction involving two of the arrested individuals and two recovered firearms.
The operation involved surveillance at multiple retailers, including Lowe’s, Home Depot, Walmart, and Target, with cooperation from these businesses.
MCIN’s broader goal is to dismantle criminal networks involved in illegal activities like drug distribution and violence. This operation highlights the connection between retail theft and organized crime.
