GASTONIA, N.C. (News Release) — The Gastonia Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit continues to demonstrate the effectiveness of proactive policing through Operation Naughty List, a focused enforcement initiative aimed at reducing retail theft, repeat offenders, and drug-related activity durin g the busy holiday shopping season. Between November 28 and December 19, 2025, Street Crimes Unit officers, with assistance from Patrol units, conducted targeted operations at high-theft retail locations, including Target and Walmart stores across the city of Gastonia. During Operation Naughty List, officers made numerous arrests for misdemeanor and felony larceny, possession of controlled substances, trespassing, and outstanding warrants. As part of this initiative, Street Crimes officers operated in an undercover capacity in plain clothes inside local retail stores, blending in with shoppers while working closely with store loss prevention professionals. This coordinated approach allowed officers to identify theft in real time, target habitual offenders, and intervene before stolen merchandise left the store. As a result of these efforts, officers recovered or prevented the theft of $4,342.85 in retail merchandise, including one felony larceny valued at $735.00 involving the deactivation of anti-theft devices. Officers also seized illegal narcotics including fentanyl, methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia, and identified several repeat offenders and individuals with outstanding warrants. Operation Naughty List highlights the Gastonia Police Department’s commitment to proactive, intelligence-led enforcement that resulted in: • 78 total arrests • 154 total charges ...read more read less