PORTLAND, Ore. — A vendor at the Oregon Flea Market in Gresham is facing serious charges after police recovered more than $10,000 worth of stolen merchandise during a coordinated investigation that spanned several months.
Investigation Targets Suspected Fencing Operation
Authorities identified Said Alawi as the suspect, accusing him of knowingly purchasing stolen goods and reselling them both at his Portland home and at the flea market. Police say information gathered from earlier retail theft cases pointed investigators toward Alawi as part of a larger fencing operation—where stolen items are funneled to sellers who profit from them.
On Sept. 14, law enforcement served search warrants at both Alawi’s residence and his vendor space at the flea market. The searches yielded thousands of items believed to be stolen.
“What we’ve recovered today is tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in suspected stolen merchandise,” said Portland Police Detective Cameron Smith, who assisted in the operation.
Stolen Goods Seized
The recovered items included clothing, hygiene products, cosmetics, and other brand-new consumer goods. Officials estimate the value of the merchandise exceeds $10,000, though investigators suspect the total may be far higher once a full inventory is completed.
Alawi now faces charges of first-degree aggravated theft and organized retail crime, both of which carry significant penalties under Oregon law.
Community Impact and Warnings
Police emphasized that large-scale resale operations contribute to the surge in retail theft impacting local businesses. Unlike individual shoplifting incidents, fencing networks amplify the problem by creating a market for stolen goods.
“All of those stolen items need to go somewhere, and they go to fencing operations,” Det. Smith explained. “We can arrest shoplifters for misdemeanor crimes all day long, but it doesn’t make any difference. This is like a node in the criminal enterprise.”
The Gresham Police Department urged the public to be cautious when shopping. “If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is,” the department said in a statement. “If a store always has brand new, name-brand merchandise at significantly lower prices than other retailers, there is a high chance they are re-selling stolen merchandise.”
Flea Market Vendors React
News of the arrest surprised fellow vendors at the Oregon Flea Market, who said they had no idea a colleague was allegedly involved in reselling stolen items.
“No, no kind of hints at all,” said Samir Kasimi, another vendor, describing the shock among sellers after police conducted the search.
The case highlights concerns about how legitimate businesses and vendors may unknowingly operate alongside illicit sellers.
Law Enforcement Collaboration
The operation involved multiple agencies, including Gresham Police, Portland Police, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, and the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. Officials said such collaboration is essential in disrupting organized retail theft rings, which often span across cities and counties.
The successful bust reflects a growing push by Oregon law enforcement to go beyond targeting individual shoplifters and instead dismantle the networks that facilitate large-scale theft.
Broader Retail Crime Concerns
Organized retail crime has become a nationwide issue, costing businesses billions annually and driving up consumer prices. Local authorities say fencing operations like the one Alawi is accused of running play a central role in perpetuating the cycle.
By focusing on the supply chain of stolen goods, law enforcement hopes to curb theft at its source and send a message to those profiting from such crimes.
For now, Alawi remains in custody as prosecutors prepare their case. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities say more charges could be filed depending on what further evidence reveals.
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