Oklahoma City police made 17 arrests and seized methamphetamine, cocaine and two firearms during anti-theft operations in the Santa Fe Division, KOKH FOX 25 reported Thursday, Oct. 1.

The operations targeted retail corridors after what police described as a spike in thefts at major shopping areas. Officers recovered $1,524 in stolen merchandise.

The Santa Fe Division's Crime Reduction Intelligence Management Enforcement (CRIME) Unit led the effort. The CRIME Unit identified several theft suspects who were also violent offenders, according to KOKH, which prompted officers to partner with store managers and asset protection staff on a coordinated enforcement plan.

Eight of the 17 arrests came from a single operation. On Sept. 8, officers made five felony and three misdemeanor arrests near the Academy Sports + Outdoors store on S. Walker Avenue and seized methamphetamine and cocaine.

At the Penn Park Shopping Center, officers made two felony and three misdemeanor arrests across two separate operations. Dates for those operations were not included in the KOKH report. On Tuesday, Sept. 29, officers returned to the Academy Sports + Outdoors location and made two felony and two misdemeanor arrests. Police seized narcotics and two firearms during that operation.

The CRIME Unit is among the city's patrol divisions. Each uses an intelligence-based approach to target criminal activity and respond to resident complaints, according to the department's 2024 annual report.

Under Chief Ron C. Bacy, the Santa Fe Division CRIME Unit made 260 arrests and recovered $780,000 in property during 2024, the highest recovery total among the city's four patrol divisions. Citywide, the department recorded 21,117 property crimes that year, including 14,130 larceny offenses.

The Santa Fe Division station sits at 9000 S. Santa Fe Ave. and covers the southeast quadrant of Oklahoma City.

Residents who witness theft or suspicious activity can contact the Oklahoma City Police Department at 405-235-7300 or call 911 for emergencies.