Update (3/15/2012)
The MPD's recent successful operation targeting stolen goods resulted in the recovery of several hundred electronic items.  For those of you who believe your item may be among those recovered, you may submit, via stolen.property@dc.gov, your ownership information, such as a serial number or other uniquely identifiable information that conclusively establishes ownership.  A member will then follow-up with your inquiry.

Mayor Vincent C. Gray and Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier on Monday announced significant progress in the Metropolitan Police Department’s efforts to curtail robberies and thefts in the District of Columbia.  As part of this ongoing effort, MPD’s Narcotics and Special Investigations Division concluded a three and a half week long investigation which targeted businesses in the District that trafficked in stolen property. 

Police conducted 12 search warrants on businesses in the District of Columbia. An additional search warrant was served by Arlington County Police at a location in Virginia, as part of this investigation. The majority of the 16 individuals who have been arrested are charged with Felony Trafficking in Stolen property, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in jail and a fine up to $10,000. 

“If you are a criminal and committing thefts or robberies, or if you profit from crime, in the District of Columbia, we will we find you, arrest you, and bring you to justice,” said Mayor Gray. “The District of Columbia is a place of law and order, and neither Chief Lanier nor I will tolerate any crime on our streets. Every single D.C. resident has the right to walk our neighborhoods in safety and confidence.”

“As I have repeatedly said, we are attacking thefts and robberies from all angles,” Chief Lanier said.  “In this case, we targeted the demand aspect of the problem.” 

Nicholas Majette, Director of the District of Columbia's Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs said many of the businesses targeted in this investigation were operating without licenses or without the proper licenses. He said $12,000 in fines have been issued from business compliance inspections.

Update
The below property is an example of what has been recovered, and counted, so far:

• 487 cell phones
• 7 i-Pads
• 16 other notebooks/tablets
• Multiple other electronic items such as –  GPS, Xbox, Playstation, DVRs, etc.
• Assorted drugs to include more than 500 packages of K2 spice, marijuana, paraphernalia
• 1 BB Gun
• Expired food and Over the Counter medication

Update
Search warrants were served at the following locations:

• Lions Carryout - 3600 block of Georgia Avenue, NW
• Danny’s Carryout - 600 block of H Street NE
• Dana Jewelry – 900 block of H Street, NE
• Northeast Market – 1200 block of Mt. Olivet Road, NE
• Panda Carryout – 1800 block of West Virginia Avenue, NE
• The Gold Shop – 600 block of Florida Avenue, NW
• B & V – 1300 block of North Capitol Street, NW
• Dollar Discount – 4500 block of Benning Road, SE
• Dollar Magic – 1500 block of Benning Road, NE
• Night and Day Store – 5000 block of Benning Road, SE
• Shell Gas – 4700 block of South Capitol Street, SE
• Nana GSM – 3500 block of Georgia Avenue, NW
• American Wireless – 4200 block of Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Va.

So far this year, there have been more than 300 arrests for robbery and 300 arrests for theft, theft from auto, and receiving stolen property. 

“These numbers definitely show that we are working hard and holding people accountable for their crimes,” Chief Lanier said. “We cannot always disclose what is going on behind the scenes and I know how frustrating it is for members of the community who want to know what we are doing to address these issues. But I want to reassure the public that our efforts to curb this problem will continue.”

Anyone who has information regarding these crimes should call police at 202-727-9099. Additionally information may be submitted to the TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.

The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any robbery committed in the District of Columbia.