Murders - Shootings - Shoplifting All Dropping in New York City
But New Yorkers still feel unsafe and many say crime data is underreported

If violent crime is dropping in NYC, why are New Yorkers still afraid?
The violent crime surge that shook the city for three years appears to be subsiding, with continued drops in murders and shootings and dips in shoplifting and subway crime. But many New Yorkers still don't feel safe.

Halfway through the year, there are plenty of good signs for the NYPD. Through June 25, the 193 murders citywide this year are 8% fewer than the 209 by this time last year. There has also been a sharp drop in shootings, with 27% fewer victims, 542 this year compared to 729 at this point last year.

Even petty larcenies, a bulk of which are for shoplifting, a crime that exploded in 2021, have dropped this year, though just by 2%. Subway crime is down 5%.

The overall major crime rate, based on seven crime categories, including murder, rape and robbery, is up 1% so far this year compared to last. That follows a year that ended with a 22% spike, even as murders and shootings dropped last year from the year before.

Eugene O'Donnell, a former NYPD officer who is now a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said he's not surprised New Yorkers still don't feel safe. The unease comes even as police conduct more street stops and report sharp spikes in arrests and summonses.

Shoplifting, O'Donnell believes, is largely underreported and progressive prosecutors, like Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, often care more about "making excuses" for criminals than they do getting justice for victims, he charges.

O'Donnnell believes New Yorkers deal with a gauntlet of issues every day not reflected in crime statistics that make them feel unsafe. The aggressive panhandler, the mentally ill man who stands on the same corner harassing passersby and the scooter rider that blows through red lights, for example. nydailynews.com


370+ Mass Shootings So Far in 2023 - On Track for Record Year
'The country is recording its fastest rate of mass shootings in recent history'

U.S. Sees Record Number Of Mass Shootings Halfway Through 2023
As of July 10, there have been 371 mass shootings in the United States so far this year, according to data collected by the Gun Violence Archive.

In 2021, the GVA recorded 690 mass shootings, a record number and major uptick from previous years that many feared would be overtaken this year as the number of mass shootings have continued to rise: Halfway through the year it looks like that fear may become reality.

At this point in 2021, there were 309 mass shootings in the U.S., compared to the 332 recorded so far this year, as of June 28, according to numbers recorded by the GVA, which considers mass shootings as incidents where at least four people are shot-not including the shooter.

At the midway mark (June 28) mass shootings reached 293 in 2022, 240 in 2020, 190 in 2019 and 151 in 2018.

22,563. That's how many people have died so far this year from all gun-related events in the U.S., including homicides, unintentional fire and suicides, according to the GVA. Another 19,681 people have been injured in gun-related events this year.

The country is recording its fastest rate of mass shootings in recent history. forbes.com


'300+ Active Shooter Situations This Year Alone'
Important safety tips that could save your life in an active shooter situation

Incidents involving an active shooter have unfortunately affected many communities across the country in recent years.

Security expert Patrick Fiel has a background in managing law enforcement and security systems. Although Fiel was not at Independence Mall when the altercation occurred, The shooting still hit close to home for him.

Some tips he shared include making sure you know where your family and friends are when visiting large spaces and to always have a plan in case the event of emergency.

"Be vigilant. It can happen in a mall, it can happen in a church, it can happen in schools. We've had over 300 active shooter situations this year alone," Fiel added.

Sometimes being vigilant can safe a life. Lieutenant Greg Willett with the Wilmington Police Department says to always to steer clear from any conflict if possible.

"Run, hide, fight. If you are in a situation and there is an active shooter, the first thing you want to do if you can get out of area is evacuate yourself, evacuate your loved ones. Get away from the gunfire, it's our job to run to the gunfire," said Willett.  wect.com


As Reported on the Daily:
LP Alert: Calif. About to Pass Workplace Violence - Active Shooter - Shoplifting Bill

SHRM: Workplace Violence Prevention Rules are Coming for California Employers

Here's the Society for Human Resources take on CA Senate Bill 553


Proof Positive - Mexican Cartels Running SF's Drug Trade
Why is it so hard to solve the drug crisis in San Francisco?
The Chronicle found in an 18-month investigation that hundreds of those charged with selling drugs in the open-air markets are Honduran migrants peddling narcotics from Mexican cartels. Their presence, which has been noted by local politicians but until now never explored in depth, has complicated the challenge and intensified debates on policing and immigration.

Breed and Police Chief Bill Scott are trying to blend increased enforcement against dealers and distributors with new treatment paths for those struggling with addiction. But they are up against a problem that is global in scope and includes a potent enemy in fentanyl, the highly addictive synthetic opioid that has contributed to more than 2,200 overdose deaths in San Francisco since the start of 2020 and 346 in 2023 as of the end of May, a record pace for a year.

"It's different than what's happened before," Breed said in a March interview. "People have had challenges with drug overdoses in the past, but fentanyl has been significantly more deadly."

In the past month, San Francisco has tried to coax people into available treatment programs after having police detain them. Of the first 53 people cited or booked for public drug use, none accepted treatment offers.

The Sinaloa and the Jalisco New Generation cartels, which feed the Tenderloin and SoMa markets, distribute their products to dealers who are mostly from the Siria Valley in central Honduras, The Chronicle's investigation found.

"It's something that probably shows where the cartels are moving now in this connection they have now with immigration, illegal immigration. It's very clear now the big business that immigrants are for the cartels."

Mayor Breed and Chief Scott will also have to reckon with the city's unofficial, decades-long practice of allowing the Tenderloin to serve as the city's containment zone for drug markets, homelessness and other societal ills. Meanwhile, police have traditionally taken a moderate approach to law enforcement there, according to one former captain, tolerating a certain level of crime to keep it from spreading elsewhere.

"This is the epidemic. It needs to be handled as such," she said. "There's not a one-size-fits-all, but law enforcement is a critical part of the equation. And we need dramatic change in terms of how we approach this issue, and we need support from the federal level." sfchronicle.com

Editor's Note: There have been rumors that the Cartels are also running or facilitating ORC gangs as well. Which stands to reason.


This is how San Francisco's open-air drug dealers work
The Honduran dealers' takeover of drug sales on Tenderloin and South of Market streets was made possible by the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels from Mexico. As the producers and distributors of most of the drugs sold in the Bay Area, the cartels rely on the Hondurans as their primary sales arm, the investigation found.

After decades of maintaining a minor presence in the Tenderloin, dealers from Honduras took control quickly and quietly, coinciding with the rise in use of the mega-powerful opioid fentanyl.

One San Francisco native and former drug dealer who worked for a local gang said migrants from Honduras took over the "Million Dollar Mile" - the Tenderloin - because of better organization, discipline and supply chain. sfchronicle.com


NYC Ex-Prosecutor: Judges Still Can't Order Bail on Nonviolent or Misdemeanors
Hochul has some nerve to pretend she's fixed NY's crime horrors
Yes, she pushed through some minor tweaks to that one law.

But, as ex-prosecutor Jim Quinn has written, they don't mean much.

She hasn't lifted a finger to fix the Raise the Age law, which sends violent under-18s off to family court for cookies and juice, shielding them from serious consequences.

And while she has a point in slamming soft judges, they're just one part of the problem: No court can order bail simply because the defendant poses a threat to the community if released or is high risk of reoffending.

With small exceptions, judges still can't order bail for anyone charged with nonviolent offenses or misdemeanors.

Crime in New York is still way out of control, and Hochul's done next to nothing about it. nypost.com


LA Reinstates No-Bail Policy
50 Cent warns Los Angeles is 'finished' after city reinstates no-bail policy

Rapper 50 Cent says LA is about to get outta control - thanks to so-called bail reform.

The hip-hop "Outta Control" icon took to Instagram to bemoan the ongoing crime crisis in the City of Angels - and said it's about to get even worse after a judge recently reinstated a controversial no-bail policy there.

"LA is finished," wrote the 48-year-old rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, on Thursday. "Watch how bad it gets out there. SMH [shaking my head]."

The rapper included video of a TV segment about the ruling, which eliminates bail for anyone charged with a misdemeanor or non-violent felony - akin to New York's controversial reforms.

Los Angeles city officials had implemented the no-bail policy during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown to ease pressure on crowded city jails and decreed that inmates already behind bars for crimes such as shoplifting, vandalism and drug possession be released.

The policy expired in July 2022, but in May, Judge Lawrence Riff ruled that the cash bail system was unconstitutional, and reinstated the order, KTTV reported. The outlet said Riff asked city prosecutors and law enforcement officials to present themselves to argue in defense of the cash bail system before he rendered a decision - but that none of them showed up.  nypost.com


Illinois to spend $30 million for 'peacekeepers' this fiscal year
(The Center Square) - Community members from Chicago are seeking to address crime throughout the state with violence intervention methods as group officials suggest more funding is needed. Others say money is not the issue.

The Illinois Department of Human Services is looking to spend $30 million in fiscal year 2024 that started July 1 on the Peacekeepers Program. The money comes from COVID-19 relief federal tax funds. The program summary is looking for community groups with a "comprehensive approach to reducing firearm violence through targeted, integrated behavioral health services and economic opportunities."  thecentersquare.com


Portland PD: North Precinct Conducts Retail Theft Mission
On July 8, 2023, North Precinct officers and a sergeant conducted dedicated patrols in the area of Delta Park, North Interstate and Jantzen Beach area with a focus on retail theft. Through the course of this mission, officers made ten arrests, recovered a stolen vehicle, recovered $1,193 in stolen property and had two people elude police. portlandoregon.gov


Threat specialist explains how authorities can stop mass shootings

Mexican Presidential Candidate Calls for Facial Recognition Network to Cut Crime

First-Ever World Security Report Coming Soon
Allied Universal CEO Steve Jones Provides Midyear Update on State of Labor Market in the Private Security Industry

Company previews upcoming release of first-ever World Security Report

IRVINE, Calif. - July 10, 2023 - Allied Universal®, the leading security and facility services provider and the world's seventh largest private employer, is led by Global Chairman and CEO Steve Jones.

"Operating as Allied Universal in North America and G4S internationally, in the coming weeks we will release the first-ever World Security Report detailing key insights garnered from 1,775 chief security officers at major global companies in 30 countries.

While I can't divulge the report's findings ahead of its official release, I can tell you that it contains important data about people in security and important industry trends.

Despite the rapid changes in technology over recent years, people remain at the core of the security programs of global companies, but the skills required for security professionals have evolved.

Long gone are the days of the big, burly, often male, security guard. A resounding percentage of chief security officers believe people skills are more important than physical attributes of strength. An even higher percentage seek diversity in their security workforce. Security decision makers are looking for security professionals with integrity, emotional intelligence, a higher education degree and the ability to speak multiple languages.

The private security industry is growing. The skillset for a valued security professional is expanding and diversifying. The deep-rooted desire to feel safe has never been stronger.

I invite the recently laid-off, new job seekers, those coming out of retirement and the veterans returning to civilian life to consider a career in the important field of security." allieduniversal-newsroom.prgloo.com


What the C Level Reads: The Robin Report
When Does Crime Prevention Turn into Sales Prevention?
We all know about Amazon's just-walk-out format. And just-in-time supply chain systems have been the rage for decades. Now, welcome to just-say-no retailing.

It's a thing.

Theft and stealing in retail stores have become a legitimate problem across the country, both simple and singular acts and larger-scale coordinated robberies that result in significant hits to store merchandise levels. The National Retail Federation says total annual shrink, all-in, hit $94.5 billion in 2021, up from $90.8 billion the year before. Target alone said it's looking at half a billion dollars in losses due to theft this year alone.

In response, retailers around the country are taking various steps to try to combat the crime wave - but some seem to be taking the effort to the brink of maximum-security prisons.

Up Against the Walgreens

It almost seemed like a joke when the news first broke. The extreme case of a big national retailer trying to deal with theft is the vault-like store that Walgreens recently opened in a downtown Chicago neighborhood. The big national drug chain took an existing store at 2 East Roosevelt Road and reconfigured it to just two aisles containing many of the basics one would expect to find in today's modern drugstore: over-the-counter medication, bath and body items, batteries, and snacks. Continue Reading


Future Retail Store Development & Crime Will Follow - FYI
Retailers will follow the population shift!

A profound economic shift is moving the nation's wealth to Texas, other southern states

Drive along the 240-mile stretch of the Atlantic coast from Charleston, S.C., through the grassy marshland of southern Georgia and down into northern Florida, and you'll see one of the most profound economic shifts in the U.S. today. Welcome to the New New South.

For the first time, six fast-growing states in the South - Texas, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee - are contributing more to the national GDP than the Northeast, with its Washington-New York-Boston corridor, in government figures going back to the 1990s. The switch happened during the pandemic and shows no signs of reverting.

A flood of transplants helped steer about $100 billion in new income to the Southeast in 2020 and 2021 alone, while the Northeast bled out about $60 billion, based on an analysis of recently published Internal Revenue Service data.

The Southeast accounted for more than two-thirds of all job growth across the U.S. since early 2020, almost doubling its pre-pandemic share. And it was home to 10 of the 15 fastest-growing American large cities. dallasnews.com

Editor's Note: Florida and Texas have always led in the retail crime reports the Daily has published over the last seven years. What impact will this have in the future?


Talk About Reputation Impact For Taking a Position
MyPillow is auctioning off equipment after retailers pull its products
CEO Mike Lindell says annual sales fell $100 million after several big-box retailers cut ties following his election claims.

Major retailers such as Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond and Slumberland Furniture all said they will no longer sell MyPillow products as Lindell continues to falsely claim that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump.

"It was a massive, massive cancellation," Lindell said in a phone interview Monday. "We lost $100 million from attacks by the box stores, the shopping networks, the shopping channels, all of them did cancel culture on us." startribune.com


UPS union chief says negotiations at "standstill" after employees vote for strike
The latest round of negotiations between UPS and the union representing its employees have broken down without an agreement. Unionized employees overwhelmingly voted in favor of going on strike if a deal isn't reached by the end of this month.

Century-old business latest casualty of San Francisco retail closures

Tuesday Morning moves to convert its bankruptcy to Chapter 7 liquidation

8 Ohio CVS stores dangerously understaffed, report finds

Cybercriminals Lining Up for Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day Draws Out Cyber Scammers

Cybercriminals lining up to score off Amazon Prime Day shoppers, who spent more than $22B in US online sales alone last year, according to estimates.

Amazon Prime Day runs from July 11-12, but scammers have already started to capitalize on the worldwide shopping event, which promises exclusive deals for a short time only.

In the days leading up to the Amazon Prime Day sale, cybersecurity experts are already warning they have seen an uptick in malicious activity aimed at both shoppers and retailers.

Trend Micro has been monitoring the rise in cybercrime in the lead-up to Amazon Prime Day, and observed a more than 33% increase in Amazon scams in the week beginning June 28 and running through July 4, compared to the previous week's activity. The Trend Micro team warned that there has also been a jump in DHL-themed shipping scams, aimed mostly at shoppers in Arizona, California, Florida, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania - it's unclear if that's a related phenomenon.

Currently Trend Micro is tracking an Amazon Prime Day-themed SMS-text phishing lure asking shoppers to click a malicious link to fix an issue with their account, claim a gift card, or receive free shipping and other deals, prompting targets to share details like emails, phone numbers of other personal information, the company said.

"Scammers love online shopping customers as they can utilize many holidays - in this case Amazon Prime Day - whereby consumers look to get even better deals than they normally would," Trend Micro's vice president of threat intelligence, Jon Clay, said in a statement provided to Dark Reading. "With Amazon Prime's popularity, we continue to see scams targeting this shopping event increase each week until and shortly after Prime Day occurs." darkreading.com


EU & US Data-Sharing Accord
EuroCommerce and NRF Welcome Adoption of Adequacy Decision for Transatlantic Data Privacy Framework
EuroCommerce and the National Retail Federation today welcomed the announcement by the European Commission regarding the adoption of the adequacy decision for the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework.

Christel Delberghe, Director General of EuroCommerce, which represents retailers and wholesalers in Europe, said: "The new EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework will provide EU citizens with adequate redress in the U.S. with the creation of the Data Protection Review Court. The new framework introduces EU-based concepts of necessity and proportionality which further strengthens protection of personal data of EU citizens in the U.S. This provides European retailers that process data in the U.S. with the necessary safeguards to be sure that the personal data is adequately protected."

"U.S. retailers have long supported the adoption of a reliable and legally valid transatlantic data transfer mechanism that allows them to serve their customers in the EU while maintaining the highest data protection standards," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. "The European Commission's announcement today reflects years of hard work on the part of the EU and U.S. governments to re-establish a legally valid data privacy framework that provides safeguards for consumers' personal data transferred to the U.S. that are equivalent to those in the EU."

In April, EuroCommerce and NRF released a white paper on the Commission's draft adequacy decision and urged institutions on both sides of the Atlantic to swiftly adopt and implement the framework. The analysis showed that the new framework would ensure legal certainty and provide a durable, long-term mechanism to overcome the legal challenges that had invalidated the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield, the previous transatlantic data transfer framework.

NRF and EuroCommerce have worked collaboratively on EU data privacy and transatlantic data flows issues since 2016, holding annual joint meetings with EU officials with the goal of developing approaches to safeguard consumers' data while fostering regulatory certainty for transatlantic retailers. The previous Privacy Shield was struck down by the Court of Justice of the European Union, the EU's highest court, in its July 2020 ruling in the Schrems II case. That ruling came only four years after the Shield replaced an earlier U.S.-EU Safe Harbor Agreement on transatlantic data flows rejected by the same court in 2015 in the original Schrems decision. nrf.com

   RELATED: EU and US Reach Much-Anticipated Data-Sharing Accord


The Next Great Data Privacy Debate?
Meta's Rush to Topple Twitter Sets Up Looming Privacy Debate

GDPR is halting Meta's new Threads app from entering EU markets, portending a broader struggle over the right ways to collect user data on social apps.

Upcoming data privacy regulations are preventing Meta's new microblogging app "Threads" from launching in European Union (EU) markets. Experts say this is only the beginning of the privacy battle facing the Twitter clone.

Meta's attempted coup d'etat against the Twitter kingdom launched on Wednesday in over 100 countries, earning tens of millions of users in only its first day live. That, despite being unavailable to major markets within the EU.

The holdup has to do with "complexities with complying with some of the laws coming into effect next year," Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri hinted on July 5. Mosseri's statement may refer to the new antitrust-oriented Digital Markets Act, but experts also expect Threads to collide head-on with consumer privacy regulations, thanks to its wanton collection of just about every kind of personal data imaginable.

"It seems likely that they're worried about the risk of rolling out something new that very clearly violates General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) guidelines," says Aaron Mendes, CEO and co-founder of PrivacyHawk. But Threads' slow rollout doesn't preclude it from flourishing in the future. "Facebook has a reputation of rolling things out over time - they like to get stuff out fast, and then get information in and iterate."  darkreading.com


Cyber Extortion Activity Reaches Highest Level Ever
The rise in cyber extortion attacks and its impact on business security
A recent report revealed that cyber extortion activity reached the highest volume ever recorded in Q1 2023 after a decline of 8% in 2022. These figures were gathered through data from 6,707 confirmed business victims.

As a result of consistently high-impact attacks, governments worldwide are starting to take more action. Some forbid companies operating within their country to pay a ransom when demanded. helpnetsecurity.com


Software-as-a-Service Will Simplify Move to Self-Service Checkout, Says LS Retail

How privacy legislation can help address AI

Threat group testing more sophisticated DDoS hacks, authorities warn

Nationwide trend of stealing laundry detergent from grocery stores hits Colorado
The nationwide trend of thieves stealing laundry detergent from grocery stores has made its way to Colorado, with an incident last month in Centennial going viral. Three men are suspected of stealing hundreds of dollars worth of laundry detergent and Downy Unstopables In-Wash Scent Booster Beads from a King Soopers location at 5050 E. Arapahoe Rd. on the evening of June 18, according to the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office. The getaway driver, 32-year-old Jorge Pantoja, was arrested by June 28 on the misdemeanor charge of shoplifting, on top of unrelated felony charges. Police are still searching for the other two suspects, who allegedly go by Robert and Bugsy. "We're in the process of investigating this case," said Ginger Delgado, spokesperson for the sheriff's office. Although the crime is considered a misdemeanor, "the reason that we pursued this one is because it was obviously caught on video," then sent to the police. Santino Burrola, the employee who filmed the incident, caught the license plate and uploaded it to TikTok, was allegedly fired by King Soopers afterward for his involvement. "And, then, the story just exploded and went national," Delgado said. Earlier this week, a GoFundMe was organized for Burrola by a family member to raise money for potential legal fees and a cross-country move. As of Friday afternoon, more than 900 donors contributed over $28,000 to his cause. As a former military police officer, he did what he thought was right in order to capture criminals," Alexia Gomez, Burrola's cousin, wrote. "He was not given severance pay and is planning to move to Florida to be closer to his family." Neither Burrola nor King Soopers immediately responded to a request for comment.  denverpost.com


Cobb County, GA: Metro beauty shop owner says thieves stole over $300K worth of merchandise from her storage unit
A Cobb County beauty shop owner said someone stole more than $300,000 worth of products from the storage warehouse. It happened over the weekend. Ricola Elizabeth is the owner of Perfect Distraction Hair Gallery and she has two locations in Smyrna and Sandy Springs. Trying to hold back her frustration and tears, she recalled the moment she said someone attacked her livelihood. She uses the storage unit at the Space Shop Self Storage in Smyrna as a warehouse to store the overflow of inventory for her stores and on-line website. Elizabeth said now it's all gone and she's $300,000 in the hole.  news.yahoo.com


Sweetwater, FL: Employee accused of stealing $43,000+ of merchandise from Dolphin Mall store
An assistant manager at the True Religion store inside the Dolphin Mall was arrested last week on accusations that he stole tens of thousands of dollars' worth of merchandise from the store over a nearly year-long period, authorities said. Sean Anthony Staples, 33, of Miami, was taken into custody Friday on a charge of organized scheme to defraud. According to his arrest report, a corporate employee of True Religion who oversees loss prevention reports was alerted about multiple transactions by Staples that had been flagged. The employee told police that she reviewed surveillance video which showed Staples voiding multiple transactions and then giving the merchandise to a customer. According to the police report, the total value of the fraudulent transactions, which have occurred since August 2022, was $43,889.23, including a transaction for $1,097.43 that was processed on Friday. The corporate employee told police that Staples would scan the merchandise but then process the items as a return without receipt. She said she was alerted to the transactions in April, but then discovered that the fraudulent transactions had been occurring since last August.  local10.com


Large-Scale Criminal Enterprise Busted
Trio Arrested for Extensive Identity Theft Operation and Drug Possession
Monroe County, FL - Three individuals are facing criminal charges after law enforcement discovered a trove of stolen or forged identity documents in a South Florida motel room.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, deputies executed a search warrant at the Sunset Cove Beach Resort, located on Overseas Highway, after receiving a call for assistance from a bail bondsman on Thursday.

Inside the motel room, authorities discovered burglary tools, forged checks, over 100 credit cards unrelated to the suspects, more than 20 stolen or forged identification cards from various states and countries, numerous items of mail not belonging to any of the suspects, a scanner used for creating illegal credit cards, and a stash of illicit substances including fentanyl, marijuana, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and drug paraphernalia.

Deputies arrested 27-year-old Jacob Michael Majewski, 30-year-old Michael George Harvey, and 42-year-old Katie Campbell.

Authorities believe the trio possessed items indicative of involvement in a large-scale criminal enterprise.

Each of the suspects is facing 361 criminal charges, including 125 counts of criminal use of personal identification information, 100 counts of trafficking in or possessing counterfeit credit cards, and 100 counts of obtaining credit cards through fraudulent means. iheart.com


San Francisco police investigate Gucci store Armed Robbery near Union Square
San Francisco police are searching for suspects in the armed robbery of the Gucci store near Union Square, and they say the thieves may be linked to at least one more robbery. The police department said the store located at 240 Stockton Street was robbed just after 3:30 p.m. A witness, who did not want to be identified, said there were anywhere from four to six men involved in the robbery. She said she and her daughter entered the store just seconds before those robbers bursted in and began grabbing handbags from displays.  nbcbayarea.com


Fremont, OH: Three suspects sought in alleged Sandusky Co. theft ring
The Sandusky County Sheriff's Office is asking the public for help identifying three people they say are taking part in a theft ring. According to its Facebook page, the law enforcement agency is looking for three men they say distract their victims, then steal their debit or credit cards, which they then use to buy items at various stores.  13abc.com


Milwaukee, WI: 4 Target thefts, 40 days, Milwaukee man charged
Ronald Neal, 39, of Milwaukee, is charged with five counts of felony retail theft and four counts of felony bail jumping after prosecutors say he stole from Target four times in May and June. A criminal complaint says he also stole from a Home Depot store. Prosecutors say Neal was out on bail for retail theft when he pushed carts out of the stores filled with merchandise that he did not pay for. The complaint says Neal stole from the same Target store on Miller Park Way twice on May 13. The first theft happened around 1:30 p.m. when two males pushed carts out of the store without paying. Prosecutors say there was $633.92 worth of merchandise in Neal's cart and $371.94 worth of merchandise in the other cart. Neal's cart was pushed out of the fire door, and the other cart was pushed out the front exit doors of the Target store.  A few hours later, around 4 p.m., prosecutors say Neal was back at the same Target store, concealing items on his person and loading items into a cart. Loss prevention contacted police, believing Neal was going to push the cart out of the store. The thief was identified as Neal, the complaint says, and he was arrested.  fox6now.com


Mankato, MN: Woman accused of stealing baby formula has 24 warrants in 10 counties
Rachel Howard Robinson, 28, of Minneapolis, was charged last week with felony theft in Blue Earth County Court. A criminal complaint says Robinson stole nearly $1,300 worth of baby formula and other merchandise from the Mankato Hilltop Hy-Vee in May and June. The thefts were captured on surveillance and Robinson was identified by loss prevention personnel at Cub Foods. Robinson was filmed gathering baby items and covering them with merchandise and walking out of the store without paying, according to the complaint. Robinson also stole batteries, cat products, and paper towels, as well as three shopping baskets valued at $8 each, according to the charging documents. Police say Robinson has 24 active warrants, 16 of those cases felony-related, from ten different Minnesota counties. Her whereabouts are unknown.  southernminnesotanews.com


Brookfield, WI: Ulta theft; $5,200 in stolen merchandise
Brookfield police are looking to identify and locate two women wanted in connection with a retail theft incident at ULTA Beauty on Bluemound Road. It happened on Sunday, July 9 around 4 p.m. According to police, two women removed $5,200 worth of fragrances and makeup without paying Both are suspects for felony retail theft.  fox6now.com


Queens, NY: Man steals more than $1K worth of clothing from Carter's in Ridgewood

Quakertown, PA: Richland Township Police seeking suspect in $500 theft from Ulta