SOUTH CAROLINA — A retail crime enforcement effort known as “Operation Naughty List” led to dozens of arrests across North Carolina during the holiday shopping season, according to the Gastonia Police Department.
Police said the operation took place between Nov. 28 and Dec. 19, 2025, with street crimes unit officers working alongside patrol units to target high-theft retail locations, including stores such as Target and Walmart.
As part of the initiative, officers worked undercover in plain clothes inside local stores, blending in with shoppers while coordinating with store loss prevention teams. Police said the approach allowed officers to identify theft as it occurred, focus on repeat offenders, and intervene before stolen merchandise left the stores.
Authorities reported that the operation resulted in the recovery or prevention of $4,342.85 in stolen merchandise. That total included one felony larceny case valued at $735 involving the deactivation of anti-theft devices.
In addition to theft-related offenses, officers seized illegal drugs including fentanyl, methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Police also identified multiple repeat offenders and individuals with outstanding warrants.
According to Gastonia police, Operation Naughty List resulted in 78 arrests and 154 criminal charges.
