The Gastonia Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit, with patrol units and store loss prevention staff, conducted undercover, plain-clothes operations inside Target and Walmart locations in Gastonia to deter and disrupt repeat offenders.

During the operation, authorities seized illegal narcotics and paraphernalia, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, marijuana, and related items, with several repeat offenders among those charged.

Officials identified multiple repeat offenders and individuals with outstanding warrants during the operation, leading to arrests and enforcement actions.

The initiative recovered or prevented about $4,342.85 in retail merchandise, highlighted by a $735 felony larceny case involving deactivation of an anti-theft device.

Overall, the operation resulted in 74 to 78 arrests on 154 charges, spanning misdemeanor and felony larceny, drug possession, trespassing, and warrants.

Operation Naughty List showcased proactive, intelligence-led enforcement and real-time theft intervention during the holiday season.

Running from late November to December, Operation Naughty List aimed to reduce retail theft, repeat offenders, and drug activity amid the holidays, and was concluded with a crackdown on these issues.