Seal Beach Cpl. Dave Barr will be honored by the Los Angeles Area Organized Retail Crime Association as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in ceremonies today at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The recognition stems from Barr's work as a detective that led to the arrest of a suspected broker of stolen merchandise who was notorious among detectives who specialize in organized retail crime, according to authorities.
Barr learned of a connection between two professional shoplifters, commonly known as "boosters" and the suspected broker, otherwise known as a "fence."
Barr formed a partnership involving the Seal Beach Police Department and several other departments in Los Angeles and Orange counties. This led to a surveillance of numerous storage units, private residences and swap meets.
Warrants resulted in the discovery of more than 100,000 suspected stolen items valued at more than $1.2 million.
The case has been referred to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
--City News Service
