U.S. authorities have arrested more than 500 suspects in a coordinated, multi-state operation targeting organized retail theft, officials said. The crackdown, led in part by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Regional Organized Crime Task Force, brought together more than 100 local, state and federal agencies across 28 states to dismantle professional theft rings that investigators estimate cost retailers about $1 billion annually. The sweep comes amid a string of high-profile raids on luxury stores. On Aug. 24, a group of roughly 10 thieves made off with about $100,000 in designer handbags after rushing the Louis Vuitton boutique inside a Nordstrom just off Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Security cameras captured the getaway as the crew leapt into waiting cars; police said no arrests have been made. In Los Angeles, the LAPD on Aug. 20 arrested seven alleged members of the so-called Rich Rollin Burglary Crew and later took an eighth suspect into custody. Prosecutors say the group, tied to local gangs, is linked to at least 92 residential break-ins that netted luxury watches, jewelry and firearms. Chicago police are also investigating a series of crash-and-grab burglaries at Foot Locker outlets in Englewood and Bronzeville, incidents investigators believe were carried out by the same crew. Officials say the recent arrests and visible retail thefts underscore both the scope of organized crime networks and the heightened law-enforcement focus on curbing their activity.