New 'Retail Theft Legislation Tracker'
National Association of Tobacco Outlets Tracks Legislation Addressing Retail Theft

'Tobacco products, particularly those in high excise tax states, are often targeted for theft,' National Association of Tobacco Outlets executive director says

Robberies at convenience stores or "smash and grabs" at tobacco stores are now a part of the daily news cycle. With retail crime on the rise, the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) said it is now tracking legislation addressing retail theft across the United States.

The NATO: Legislative - Retail Theft Tracker on the NATO website under the legislative drop-down menu includes state legislative activity and is divided by region and highlighted with three codes: passed, in committee and introduced.

The trade association represents more than 66,000 retail stores that sell tobacco and nicotine products throughout the country.

"NATO has been hearing from our retail members that retail theft has become a major issue for stores that has resulted in safety concerns and increased store merchandise losses," NATO Executive Director David Spross told CSP. "Tobacco products, particularly those in high excise tax states, are often targeted for theft."

Spross said that by providing this state legislative information, it contributes to a collective effort among associations, such as NATO and the stores to address this issue.

"Legislation that increases penalties state enforcement for retail theft provides potential policy solutions that will provide store employees and customers more confidence that they are safe and reduce financial losses from crime," he said. cspdailynews.com


Longer Prison Sentences for ORC
Washington legislators hear bill to lengthen sentences for organized retail theft
Some people convicted of organized retail theft could get a longer prison sentence under a proposal making its way through the legislature. Heard in the House Committee on Community Safety Monday afternoon, House Bill 1276 would create a new sentencing enhancement for anyone convicted of stealing or possessing a high value of goods.

12 months would be added to the sentence of a person guilty of organized retail theft where the property is worth $20,000 or more. If the property has a value of $50,000 or more, 24 months would be added to the sentence.

Currently, a person could get up to ten years in prison for organized theft, based on the seriousness of the crime.

A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers have signed onto the bill. People who testified in support at Monday's hearing said money made from organized theft funds other criminal activity, often involves a great deal of violence and pointed to a 2021 Forbes study which found Washington was the state most impacted by retail crime.

"It impacts our businesses who can't absorb the loss and may have to lay off workers," said prime sponsor State Representative Mari Leavitt (D-University Place). "It impacts our state by having lost tax dollars that could go back into the strength of our economy. And it impacts consumers who may not feel safe as a result, to do their shopping."  khq.com


Family Dollar & Dollar General Stores Fueling Memphis Shoplifting Surge 
Retail theft spikes; MPD warns of coordinated shoplifting
The Memphis Police Department is warning of a spike in retail thefts across the city, some of which are ending with weapons drawn. MPD Sgt. Andre Jones said the department has responded to an uptick in cases of coordinated shoplifting, mostly at local Family Dollar and Dollar General stores.

The department has seen the incidents for "quite a while," but the uptick began during the holidays, Jones told The Daily Memphian in a recent interview. Usually, multiple people enter a store, fill baskets with items like toilet paper and laundry detergent and then leave without paying, according to Jones. Jones suspects the thefts precede efforts to sell the items later on.

Dollar General, which is based in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, has 41 locations in Memphis, according to its website. Charlotte-based Family Dollar has 44. Neither company responded to a request for comment from The Daily Memphian.

There were 734 cases of shoplifting in January, according to the city's crime analytics dashboard, down 6.5% from 785 incidents in January 2024. Jones encouraged store owners not to try to stop shoplifters from leaving the store. Instead, he said they should focus on "being a good witness" including getting a suspect and vehicle description. dailymemphian.com


Gun Store Burglary Legislation
New legislation would require more security measures in gun shops
Lawmakers in Illinois and Maryland have introduced the SECURE Firearm Storage Act aimed to address the problem of "smash and grab" gun store burglaries by requiring all firearms to be securely stored when a federally licensed gun dealer is not open for business.

"We know that more often than not, guns that are stolen end up, unfortunately, being used in the commission of additional crimes," Democratic Congressman Johnny Olszewski of Marland's second congressional district, said.

Clark says his shop already has strong measures in place, and that people attempting to steal guns should be held more accountable, but said the last thing he wants is someone to steal a gun from his store that could potentially evoke violence.

"You're dealing with not only people's livelihoods, but you're also dealing with security of your community too," Clark said, "I don't, as an FFL, want to have my guns out on the street being used for nefarious purposes."

The legislation states it would also authorize the Attorney General to review and put forth additional security measures to reduce the risk of theft and require a new section for gun dealer applicants to describe security plans. wfmj.com


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Miami, FL: Update: Miami men charged in over $1M multi-state sunglass theft, and more arrests possible
Three Miami men were arrested in connection with a multi-state theft ring involving more than $1 million in stolen sunglasses and now police believe more arrests could be made. Miami Police on Tuesday showed off the 3,500 pairs of designer sunglasses worth at least $1.2 million that were seized in the investigation. Authorities said the eyewear was stolen from Sunglass Hut stores in Tennessee and South Carolina. Last month, three Miami men - Alexander Trujillo Gomez, 48, Xavier Perez, 52, and Lazaro Salazar Hechavarria, 28 - were arrested in Tennessee on charges including burglary, theft of property valued at $250,000 and over, and vandalism. Police said the stolen eyewear was intercepted after it was shipped to Miami. "What our investigators discovered was that three men were taking a rental vehicle, driving to South Carolina and Tennessee, subsequently breaking into the Sunglass Hut and shipping the stolen merchandise," Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales said Tuesday. "Through investigative means we were able to make contact with the connection that these three men had at that local address and were able to recover what you see here in front of you."  nbcmiami.com


Fort Worth, TX: 8 suspects arrested after stealing jewelry in Fort Worth grocery store robbery
A group of robbery suspects have been arrested after police say they smashed glass display cases and stole jewelry from a north Fort Worth grocery store. Officers responded to the robbery at El Rancho Supermercado, about 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9. It was reported that four men went inside the business and smashed the glass display, took jewelry and left, police said. Police records show that eight people - six men and two women - were arrested in connection to the robbery. Lester Emerson, 36, of Houston; Christian Venson, 25, of Houston; and Reginald Mitchell, 22, of Katy, face robbery charges, according to jail records. Shonton Howard, 36, of Channelview; Daniya Smith, 17, of Houston; Vanessa Thompson, 23, of Houston; Dexter Mitchell, 33, of Houston; and Dexter Ray Mitchell, 51, of Humble, face charges of engaging in organized criminal activity, according to jail records. Police have not released further details about what led to the arrests, the value of the stolen jewelry or whether it was recovered. A similar smash-and-grab robbery was reported in December at an East Dallas location of El Rancho Supermercado, Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV reported. In that case, thieves took about $600,000 worth of jewelry. Another similar crime occurred at a Houston location of the same business in November, WFAA reported. Police have not confirmed whether the crimes in the different cities are believed to be connected.  star-telegram.com


Sacramento, CA: Update: Forensic technology, DNA helped Rocklin police nab 5 suspects in elaborate motor sports business burglary
Forensic technology and DNA evidence helped in the arrest of five of six suspects who the Rocklin Police Department said are responsible for a smash-and-grab burglary. Roseville Motor Sports was broken into on March 18, 2024 and suffered approximately $100,o00 in property loss and damages. A nine-month-long investigation led to arrests and charges of five Bay Area men, who police claim used stolen vehicles to carry out the crime.  kcra.com


Hershey, PA: Man charged with stealing $10K worth of jackets from Polo Ralph Lauren store at Tanger Outlets Hershey
A Philadelphia man is charged with stealing more than $10,000 worth of merchandise from a store at Tanger Outlets Hershey. Derry Township police said Timothy Root, 58, smashed through a glass door at the Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store on Jan. 25 and took 32 jackets. Root was stopped in Lebanon for operating a stolen vehicle with a stolen registration plate, police said. Officers said they discovered the stolen jackets during that stop. Root is charged with burglary, retail theft, criminal mischief and other offenses.  wgal.com


Brownsville, TX: South Texas police seek public's help in Home Depot theft investigation

Salem, MA: Salem police seek suspects in multi-state retail theft spree