C-Store Robberies Surge 300% in Baltimore
Baltimore sees 25% spike in robberies at the start of the year, reversing previous declines
The robbery last month at La Bodeguita in Brooklyn is among 714 robberies recorded in the city so far this year. That's a 24.6% increase, from 573 at the same time last year, according to latest available data from the Baltimore Police Department.

Those incidents include robberies at convenience stores, gas stations and other commercial businesses, as well as carjackings and street robberies. The biggest increase is among convenience stores, where robberies - the unlawful taking of property from a person with force or the threat of it - have jumped 300%, with more than 80 so far this year.

Police also have recorded a large increase in robberies they identify as "miscellaneous." There have been 268 robberies in that category, compared to 24 at the same time last year - a more than tenfold increase. However, the department attributed the surge in that category to its switch to a new reporting system. Officials say they are working to correct that data.

In 2019, then-U. S. Attorney General William Barr called Baltimore the country's "robbery capital" as he announced the city was among several to receive increased law enforcement resources.

But at that point, robberies had been declining steadily since 2017, when the city reported 5,879, according to FBI data. The number dropped to 3,100 by 2020, the first year of the coronavirus pandemic. Last year, the number increased slightly to 3,400 robberies.

The sharp surge upward in the first three months of 2022 has raised concerns. The spike comes as the department battles a stubbornly high rate of violent crime. Already, 76 people have been killed in the city this year, up from 65 at the same point last year. There have been 156 other people injured in shootings, up from 115 at this time last year. The city has reported more than 300 homicides each year since 2015. baltimoresun.com

The Organized Retail Crime Act
Op-Ed: Pass proposed bill to crack down on brazen, organized retail theft

Increasing retail theft threatens the safety of employees and customers and has a ripple effect, funding other criminal activity through the sales of stolen goods.

As the Illinois General Assembly winds down its abbreviated session, lawmakers have the opportunity to pass legislation that would give law enforcement the needed tools to combat organized retail crime.

The legislation would be one of the most comprehensive efforts in the nation against these crimes, serving to dismantle the sprawling criminal rings funded by these brazen thefts.

The Organized Retail Crime Act, supported by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association in partnership with the Illinois attorney general's office, would modernize Illinois law to close gaps that criminals exploit and provide better tools to help hold criminals accountable.

The proposal includes dedicated state funds to investigate and prosecute the criminal rings orchestrating organized retail theft. These sophisticated criminal rings operate across county and state borders, targeting retailers to then resell stolen merchandise for below-market value using online marketplaces. The proposal would also strengthen oversight of these online marketplaces, establish stronger rights for victims of organized retail crime and create a statewide intelligence platform to help retailers and law enforcement agencies better coordinate their efforts.

Under the legislation, those who participate in smash-and-grab robberies, and those who loot supply chain vehicles such as trains and cargo trucks, could be prosecuted for organized retail crime. Prosecutors would also be given discretion to bring charges regardless of where the crime takes place, adding a further deterrent to criminals.  chicago.suntimes.com

State Theft Legislation Modeled After INFORM Consumers Act
Op-Ed: Attention, Oklahoma shoppers! State works to create safe marketplace for you, retailers
Oklahoma ranks 11th in the nation in theft per capita, while nearly $1 billion in goods are stolen from Oklahoma state retailers each year. All manner of stolen and counterfeit products from over-the-counter medicines to power tools are sold to unsuspecting consumers, costing the U.S. economy an estimated $509 billion each year. Many of these stolen or counterfeit items are sold or "fenced" through online sellers - where it can be challenging for law enforcement to track and investigate.

Without this legislation, consumers have very little recourse when victimized by counterfeit products. HB1627 would have online marketplaces verify certain information regarding high-volume, third-party sellers of consumer products. Privacy exemptions and safeguards to protect those who sell out of their homes were included in the bill to protect small business owners. When HB1627 is enacted into law, online marketplaces will be transparent about the consumer products they sell and will be required to disclose to consumers contact information concerning third-party sellers.

Retail theft is becoming more aggressive and violent. Seventy-six percent of retailers reported that a criminal has physically assaulted and threatened the use of a weapon against an associate. Just last month, local news outlets showed security camera video of a Yukon hardware store manager who was threatened with a hammer when he tried to block the exit from the criminal.

HB1627 is modeled exactly after the federal INFORM Consumers Act (H.R.5502), which is supported by retailers, consumer groups and online marketplaces. Both bills protect all sizes of businesses by providing a safe and transparent marketplace. HB 1627 bill is part of a multi-pronged plan by Oklahoma retailers to address public safety and retail theft. Passage of HB1627 is a vital step toward providing confidence to consumers that they are safely shopping on marketplace sites, fair competition to brick and mortar retailers, and a safer workplace for frontline retailer workers. oklahoman.com

   In Case You Missed It: Read the Daily's Exclusive Coverage on OK's ORC Effort

'Refund the Police' to Fight Crime Wave
Biden's budget includes more money for police, as White House aims to address crime concerns

White House budget chief backs 'critical investments' to 'put more cops on the beat'

The Biden administration on Monday talked up its spending proposals targeting crime, as officials rolled out the president's proposed budget for the 2023 fiscal year.

The plans for police-related spending come as U.S. cities have faced a sustained surge in murders. Republicans see crime as a winning issue in the upcoming midterm elections, and they have made an effort to portray Biden and his fellow Democrats as being "soft on crime."

The White House said in a statement that Biden's budget plan aims to put more police officers on beats by providing $3.2 billion for state and local grants and $30 billion to "support law enforcement, crime prevention and community violence intervention."

There's also $1.7 billion to provide the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) with "more tools to tackle gun violence," the White House said. That would include expanding gun trafficking strike forces and modernizing a center that traces firearms associated with crimes.

In addition, the Justice Department would get $367 million, an increase of $101 million over the 2021 enacted level, to support police reform, the prosecution of hate crimes, enforcement of voting rights and efforts to provide equitable access to justice. And the budget plan features $100 million for workforce development services to people in the federal prison system, along with $106 million to support the deployment of body cameras for DOJ's law enforcement officers.

In his State of the Union address earlier this month, Biden had addressed money for law enforcement, saying: "The answer is not to defund the police. It's to fund the police." marketwatch.com

25 Shootings in 6 Days - Robberies Up 48%
NYC crime, shootings maintain uptick after another week of bloodshed

There were 25 shootings in the Big Apple between March 21 and March 27

There were 25 shootings reported between March 21 and March 27, a slight increase from the 23 incidents during the same time in 2021, the New York Police Department's (NYPD) most recent police department statistics, released Monday, show.

And 27 people were wounded in those shootings compared to the 25 last year, NYPD data further show. Transit crimes from March 21 to March 27 were up 20.7%, robberies were up 48.1% and felony assaults were up 22.1% and grand larceny auto was up 77%, cops said. Meanwhile, murders were down 40% year-over-year.

As for total index crime, which encompasses the NYPD's seven main types of offenses, the department saw a 35% increase compared to the same time last year. foxnews.com

Philadelphia launches 211 crime prevention hotline after violent weekend

Top 5 Most Commonly Stolen Items in America

Grocery Workers Move Forward With Walkouts
'We're prepared to strike': Southern California grocery workers authorize walkouts
Battered by two years of pandemic stress, tens of thousands of Southern California grocery workers voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if supermarkets don't meet their wage demands as negotiations on a new contract resume in the coming weeks.

The vote, taken over five days, could lead to walkouts beginning at some Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions and Ralphs markets stretching from Central California to the Mexican border. The United Food and Commercial Workers announced that 95% of those voting at seven local unions approved a potential strike.

A three-year contract covering 47,000 workers at 540 stores expired March 6. Negotiations over a new agreement began in January but stalled three weeks ago. Workers seek substantial wage bumps, higher minimum hours for part-timers and store-level health and safety committees as pandemic concerns persist.

Ralphs has begun hiring temporary workers to prepare for walkouts. In a statement, the company said its stores will remain open despite the vote. "No one wins in a strike - not our associates, not our company, not our communities and not the union," it said. latimes.com

More Retail Uncertainty Looms
New Supply Chain Risk: 22,000 Dockworkers Who May Soon Strike

With the contract of union workers at West Coast ports nearing expiration, the prospect of a labor impasse threatens another shock to the global economy.

In a world contending with no end of economic troubles, a fresh source of concern now looms: the prospect of a confrontation between union dockworkers and their employers at some of the most critical ports on earth.

A labor impasse could worsen the floating traffic jams that have kept dozens of ships waiting in the Pacific before they can pull up to the docks. That could aggravate shortages and send already high prices for consumer goods soaring.

With ports consumed by traffic and Americans bemoaning inflation, the longshoremen grasp that their leverage may be uniquely potent. An impasse or a strike could deal another shock to the global economy, just as the world is grappling with the impacts of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and as China imposes new Covid restrictions on industry. nytimes.com

Amazon Ditching Its Physical Stores
Amazon pulling the plug on most of its retail stores apart from Whole Foods means it doesn't care as much about acquiring new Prime members anymore

Amazon is at a crossroads in its store strategy, and analysts predict its grocery stores will gain importance.

Earlier this month, the company said it would shutter several of its physical retail chains, including Amazon Books, 4-Star, and Pop Up stores. Reuters first reported the news.

That means the online retail giant's physical footprint is now almost entirely Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh, and Amazon Go stores, focusing on groceries, prepared foods, and other fast-moving goods. (It has also announced it will open one Amazon Style store focused on apparel in Los Angeles at some point in 2022.)

In all, Amazon said it would close 68 stores. That's a fraction of the number of grocery stores' locations: Whole Foods operates about 500 stores worldwide, while Fresh has 25 locations. businessinsider.com

Retail Easter Spending Down Slightly
NRF: More Consumers Hunting for Bargains this Easter
Consumers plan to spend an average $169.79 this year on Easter-related items, according to results of the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. A total of 80 percent of Americans will celebrate the holiday and spend a collective $20.8 billion, down slightly from last year's forecast of $21.6 billion.

With just more than half (51 percent) of consumers planning in-person celebrations, up from 43 percent the previous year, food will account for the largest spending category. Among those planning to celebrate Easter, the average spend is $53.61 on food, followed by $28.04 on gifts and $27.93 on clothing. nrf.com

Walmart Stops Selling Cigarettes in Some Stores

Retailers Face Spate of Hyper Activism Amid Post-COVID, Pre-Inflation Transition

Express appoints Big Lots vet as CFO

Washington, DC: Flash-style robbery reported at Georgetown stores
Two Georgetown businesses found themselves the targets of crime Monday afternoon. Around 12:39 p.m., the Metropolitan Police Department got a call for a reported robbery at Atmos clothing store on the 3100 block of M Street Northwest. Two workers in a store nearby told WUSA9 they saw 7 to 12 people pull up in two cars outside of the store just before the alleged crime took place. After that, they said they then saw the group rush out of the store with their arms full of clothes. MPD said it did not know the exact number of people who entered the store at this point in its investigation. However, the department said it is now on the lookout for a dark silver Honda CRV and that it is now classifying the report as a theft. MPD officers would be called to the 3200 block of O Street Northwest two hours later for a reported robbery at a store named Capitol Connect DC. Capitol Connect DC sells smoking accessories, according to its website. wusa9.com

Wayne, NJ: Fugitive Shoplifter arrested at Macy's in Wayne, NJ
A serial shoplifter, wanted in multiple New Jersey towns and in multiple states was caught in the act at Macy's in the Willowbrook Mall, taken into custody and will likely be extradited to Maryland for previous crimes. The following account is based on a statement released by the Wayne Police Department. On Saturday, March 26, Wayne police officers Kevin MacDonald and Erik Cueva responded to a call from Macy's. they had a suspected thief in store custody. Upon arrival, the officers met with a Loss Prevention agent who offered a video of a man now suspected of shoplifting.

"Loss prevention claimed that the suspected shoplifter selected several articles of clothing, entered a fitting room and exited the fitting room with the merchandise concealed," said Wayne Police Detective Captain Dan Daly. "He then exited the store with no attempt to pay before he was apprehended by loss prevention." According to the loss prevention agent, hidden under the suspect's clothes were items totaling $774. Interestingly, the store alarm did not go off when the suspect left with the stolen merchandise. During a search of the suspect, officers discovered a magnet that was used to stop the stolen goods from setting off the alarm.

Arrested was Jonathan D. Peraltac of Jersey City. Back at the station, while booking Peraltac, it was discovered that there were multiple warrants out for his arrest. One was for a traffic violation in Hoboken, but there were also shoplifting warrants out of Paramus, East Brunswick and Lawrence, NJ. Daly said that the "warrants totaled $5,750." He then added that Peraltac "was a wanted person out of Anne Arundel County, Maryland for theft." And that "Anne Arundel County agreed to extradite the suspect." He was charged with Shoplifting, Possession of an Anti-Shoplifting Device Countermeasure and being a Fugitive from Justice. rlsmedia.com

Austintown, OH: Walmart Shoplifting suspect seeks to avoid arrest during funeral
Austintown police say they captured a Walmart shoplifting suspect on Sunday who sought refuge in a funeral home during calling hours. Walmart's loss prevention officer tells police that he began to follow a woman who he says self-scanned only a few of the 181 items in her shopping cart before leaving the store. The woman allegedly fled, leaving the carts filled with merchandise behind. Police say when the woman spotted their cruiser, she ducked into a nearby funeral home on Mahoning Avenue while calling hours were going on. An officer says he caught up with the woman as she was about to exit the funeral home. The suspect is identified as 30-year-old Laura Fowler and is listed as "homeless" on the police report. She was booked into the county jail on previous warrants from Boardman Police and a new charge of felony theft. It's estimated that the goods left behind in the shopping carts were worth a total of more than $2,000. wfmj.com

Milford, CT: Area Man Accused Of Stealing $1K Worth Of Items From Lowe's Store...7 years ago
A Hudson Valley man was arrested and accused of stealing merchandise worth $1,000 from a Connecticut store more than seven years ago. That merchandise was allegedly stolen from Lowe's, located in New Haven County at 311 Old Gate Lane in Milford, in October of 2014, the Milford Police Department said. Dutchess County resident Michael Horowitz, age 30, of Poughkeepsie, was arrested on Friday, March 18, in the incident, police said. He was charged with fifth-degree larceny and fifth-degree conspiracy to commit larceny, authorities said. dailyvoice.com

East Wenatchee, WA: Police seek suspects in robbery at AutoZone, attempted assault on employee
East Wenatchee police are looking for a man and woman from Priest River, Idaho, who reportedly stole several items from the AutoZone store on Grant Road Sunday afternoon, then attempted to run over an employee who tried to stop them in the parking lot. Assistant Police Chief Erik Hampton said the suspects were in an 18-foot U-Haul truck with the woman suspect driving. "The driver told the employee he was going to get hit, then attempted to hit him with the vehicle," Hampton said. ncwlife.com

Northbrook, IL: 2 Men Steal $2K In Gas Over Several Dates, used unauthorized credit cards for 20 transactions