An undercover retail theft operation conducted by Philadelphia police resulted in 39 arrests at CVS locations across the city, including a targeted enforcement effort in Center City.
Police said 26 individuals were arrested earlier in the week at nine CVS stores as part of a coordinated initiative addressing retail theft. An additional 13 people were taken into custody during an undercover operation at a CVS store at 11th and Market streets, bringing the total number of arrests to 39.
The operation followed concerns raised by CVS about ongoing theft activity. Officers worked inside stores during the enforcement effort, monitoring suspected incidents before making arrests.
Authorities indicated that outcomes for those arrested will vary depending on the circumstances of each case, including the value of merchandise and whether individuals are repeat offenders or involved in organized activity.
Under Pennsylvania law, retail theft offenses are graded based on factors such as the value of stolen goods and whether the conduct is part of organized retail theft. Higher-value or organized cases can result in felony charges, and lower-level offenses may be handled at lesser grading levels.
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office uses a tiered approach to retail theft cases, categorizing offenses into groups such as organized retail theft, prolific or habitual offenders, and ordinary offenders.
Law enforcement agencies have worked with state officials and retailers to target organized theft groups, which are often responsible for a disproportionate share of incidents and may involve coordinated, high-volume theft operations.
More than 1,100 property-related arrests have been recorded year-to-date in 2026, according to data from the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office public dashboard.
