BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A 34-year-old man was arrested after a retail theft enforcement operation found that he was allegedly replacing a price tag or barcode of an expensive item with a cheaper one to pay a lower price. It also led to the discovery of a gun and narcotics.
The Bakersfield Police Department said on Friday, February 6th, 2026, detectives assigned to the Organized Retail Crime unit conducted a proactive retail theft enforcement operation in the 6200 block of Colony Street.
Police said during the operation, 34-year-old Ruben Perez was contacted after engaging in ticket-switching at a local retail business.
Ticket-switching is a fraudulent, illegal retail theft technique where someone replaces the price tag or barcode of an expensive item with a cheaper one to pay a lower price. Common at self-checkout, this fraud includes swapping tags, using custom barcodes, or placing low-cost stickers over high-cost items.
Police said officers detained Perez, which led to the discovery of a loaded handgun and narcotics consistent with possession for sale.
Perez was arrested and booked into Lerdo Jail on charges including felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, theft with prior convictions, and sale of a controlled substance. Perez’s vehicle was also seized and impounded as part of the investigation.
Perez has prior convictions for illegal firearm possession and theft-related offenses. Due to his criminal history, Perez qualifies for Proposition 36 sentencing enhancements.
In a release, it said, “This arrest highlights the importance of proactive retail theft enforcement and its role in identifying individuals involved in broader criminal activity that poses a threat to public safety.”