LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Metro Police joined more than 100 law enforcement agencies around the country for a shoplifting blitz in late May that resulted in the arrest of dozens of people during a two-day operation. 

The operation started May 30 and continued through May 31, according to a news release. That's when LMPD officers and detectives executed a "zero-tolerance initiative targeting Organized Retail Crime and shoplifting."

The joint effort was led locally by LMPD's 7th Division and supported by area Loss Prevention teams.

A total of 83 people were arrested in Louisville. Police also recovered more than $8,000 in stolen merchandise "and the initiation of $51,000 in restitution."

Sgt. Ross Whitney, 7th Division Detective Sergeant and LMPD liaison for the ORC Nationwide Blitz, called it a "textbook example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement and retail partners work together with a shared mission."

LMPD officers taking part in the blitz used unmarked vehicles and coordinated closely with retailers' loss prevention teams. Two booking vans were also brought in to take suspects to jail. Police also assigned a dedicated team of "report taker" officers to make sure arrest teams could remain focused on arrests.

One arrest involved "a suspect exploiting a DoorDash delivery scheme" who was "delivering partially stolen goods to unsuspecting customers," according to the release. 

Another individual arrested in Louisville was wanted in several states for using stolen credit card information to commit more than $50,000 in thefts. That suspect now faces prosecution across several jurisdictions.

LMPD Detective Dusten Dean said the blitz sends a clear message. "The message is just simply that it's not going to be tolerated. If we catch you and there's evidence and there's video, we are looking for you and we're going to find you, whether it's today, tomorrow or in the long run it's gonna come to an end, it has to."

The operation involved 70 sworn LMPD personnel. The department partnered with 16 retailers in the area.

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