Oklahoma City Retail Theft Ring Investigation Leads to Two Arrests

Oklahoma City Retail Theft Ring Investigation Leads to Two Arrests

Two men have been arrested following a six-week Oklahoma City retail theft ring investigation involving more than $25,000 in stolen merchandise from stores across the metro.

The Oklahoma City Police Department’s Larceny Unit arrested Richard Dalton, 31, and Daniel Albertson, 32, on Monday, August 31. Investigators allege the pair targeted major retailers in Del City, Moore, Norman, Midwest City and Edmond, stealing electronics, power tools and other merchandise.

Police say the investigation remains active, with authorities working to identify at least one additional suspect and others who may have been involved in reselling the stolen property.

Oklahoma City Retail Theft Ring Investigation Spanned Multiple Metro Communities

Investigators say the alleged theft operation targeted national retailers including Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart and Academy Sports.

According to police, reports from multiple stores showed similar theft patterns and repeatedly pointed investigators toward the same vehicle.

Detectives used store surveillance video, vehicle information, tattoos and previous booking photographs to identify suspects during the six-week investigation.

Police allege Dalton was typically the person who entered stores and took merchandise while Albertson served as a getaway driver.

The investigation crossed multiple municipal jurisdictions, an important factor under Oklahoma law. State law addresses a pattern of criminal offenses involving crimes committed as part of the same plan or scheme across multiple counties or municipalities. The statute can be reviewed through the Oklahoma State Courts Network.

Police Recover About $8,200 in Allegedly Stolen Merchandise

Police executed warrants at the suspects’ residences before taking Dalton and Albertson into custody.

Investigators say interviews conducted after the arrests helped officers determine where some of the stolen merchandise had allegedly been resold. Authorities ultimately recovered approximately $8,200 worth of property connected to the investigation.

Both men were being held at the Oklahoma County Detention Center and face multiple felony allegations, including organized retail crime, pattern of criminal offenses and conspiracy.

Albertson also faces an additional felony allegation involving a false declaration to a pawnbroker. Oklahoma law provides criminal penalties for using false identification or making a false declaration of ownership when selling or pledging property to a pawn shop. Details are available through the Oklahoma State Courts Network’s Oklahoma Pawnbroker Act.

The charges are allegations. Dalton and Albertson are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Oklahoma City Police Say Additional Arrests Could Follow

The case may not end with the two arrests.

Investigators say shoplifting reports consistently described three suspects, and police are continuing efforts to identify the third person. Authorities are also investigating other people who may have participated in the alleged resale operation.

The Oklahoma City Police Department maintains crime reporting and police records systems as part of its broader investigative operations. Information about police records and crime reports is available through the City of Oklahoma City Police Department.

The investigation highlights the increasingly coordinated nature of organized retail theft cases, where investigators may have to connect incidents at multiple stores and in multiple cities before establishing a larger alleged criminal pattern.

Oklahoma City police say the investigation remains ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated as detectives continue working to identify other people believed to be involved.

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