The Story Behind the Viral San Francisco Shoplifting Video
Here's what happened after that viral S.F. Walgreens shoplifting video ended
By now, just about everyone in San Francisco - and the country - has seen or heard about a June viral video depicting a brazen theft in a national retailer's Hayes Valley location.

As a senior advisor for ALTO, a global provider of strategic support for addressing retail crime, my role behind-the-scenes gave me a unique vantage point, and I am concerned that the public doesn't have a full picture of the incident and what goes on to prosecute offenders and prevent future crimes.

Though it seems cut and dry, retail crime is anything but. To offer a more complete picture of the incident, let's start with the facts:

The security guard became the subject of online scrutiny for videotaping rather than getting physically involved. The fact is this guard was doing exactly what he was trained to do: attempting to deter crime through presence and commands. When that didn't work, he observed and reported the incident to the best of his ability. Nothing in a store is worth someone's life.

With the guard's report, and because of the determined investigative efforts of the San Francisco Police Department, the suspect was arrested just days later. As it happened, the ALTO team was communicating with the department throughout a crime spree. With the support of ALTO, police connected the suspect in the video with multiple other incidents around the city.

Despite the online hysteria and finger-pointing, particularly against Boudin, this was a case of the system working as it should. ALTO's legal team has partnered with Boudin's office on many other cases dating back to November 2020. Throughout that time, we've admired the office's openness to new ways of addressing this complex issue.

Meaningful and lasting crime reduction, in a progressive manner, can be done. It has been done. And for it to continue to be done, we need to work together on a unified approach that doesn't end when the video cuts. sfchronicle.com

Karl Langhorst is a senior advisor at ALTO USA and a retired law enforcement officer and retail asset protection executive.

Retail Thieves Encouraged by Loose Laws
Shoplifters Don't Seem Worried About Being Caught as New Law Can Deem Thefts Under $950 a Misdemeanor
Two shoplifters were caught on camera strolling out of a store, one carrying a giant bag apparently filled with stolen items. And, they didn't seem too worried about getting into trouble.

LAPD Sergent Jerretta Sandoz explained that criminals are now emboldened after a recent law made shoplifting less than $950 worth of goods a misdemeanor charge instead of a felony.

While California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law allowing "organized retail theft" to be classified as a felony, it's unclear how effective the law will be because it's still up to local prosecutors to decide whether or not to charge.

Recently, in San Francisco, thieves were caught on camera fleeing Neiman Marcus, a high end department store, arms loaded with expensive designer handbags. Also in the Bay Area, stunned customers watched as a shoplifter stuffed a plastic bag filled with merchandise from a Walgreens Drug Store. When the security guard tried to grab the bag, the thief escaped on his bike.

At a Best Buy location in Houston, an employee grabbed at a suspect's backpack that he said was filled with stolen goods. They ended up in a tug-of-war scuffle that made it past store doors.

The Best Buy employee managed to wrestle the bag away. But, instead of being treated as a hero, he told Inside Edition that he was ultimately fired for approaching a customer when he said the company said shouldn't have. insideedition.com

In Case You Missed It
Department of Justice Announces Launch of Firearms Trafficking Strike Forces to Crack Down on Sources of Crime Guns
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The U.S. Department of Justice has launched five cross-jurisdictional strike forces to help reduce gun violence by disrupting illegal firearms trafficking in key regions across the country. Leveraging existing resources, the regional strike forces will better ensure sustained and focused coordination across jurisdictions and help stem the supply of illegally trafficked firearms from source cities, through other communities, and into five key market regions: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area/Sacramento Region, and Washington, D.C.

Each strike force region will be led by designated United States Attorneys, who will collaborate with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and with state and local law enforcement partners within their own jurisdiction (where firearms are used in crimes), as well as law enforcement partners in areas where illegally trafficked guns originate. These officials will use the latest data, evidence, and intelligence from crime scenes to identify patterns, leads, and potential suspects in violent gun crimes. justice.gov

Cities under siege: Americans speak out on crime spike

Costs climb for investigation into Columbus Police misconduct during protests
 

COVID Update

342.2M Vaccinations Given

C-Stores Take the Lead in Battling Human Trafficking
Convenience Retailers Can Help Stop Human Trafficking
The convenience store industry being asked to help provide a comprehensive review of human trafficking in the transportation sector.

NACS and more than 100 contributing groups are participating in the 2021 National Outreach Survey for Transportation (NOST) led by United Against Slavery-including 59 oversight agencies from Canada, Brazil, the Netherlands and the United States. The project will analyze frontline data from experts in all modes of transportation to craft policies and solutions to disrupt human trafficking and ultimately make it difficult, unattractive and unprofitable.

"Convenience stores have taken an exceptional leadership role in helping to address human trafficking in their neighborhoods. Because of their proximity and extended hours of operation, our members have a positive impact on people in their communities through partnerships with anti-trafficking groups. This survey will add valuable data from all areas of transportation to build programs that supports the work already being done," said NACS Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives Jeff Lenard.

A custom survey link has been developed for convenience retailers. Responses are needed from front-line staff, store managers and supervisors, to corporate human resources, training staff and leadership. All survey submissions are confidential, and the data will be anonymized prior to being exported for analysis. The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete: UnitedAgainstSlavery.org/NACS

Representing one-third of all retail stores in the United States, the 150,000-plus convenience stores don't just sell products and services that people enjoy; they make a difference in their communities and help address important national initiatives at a local level. NACS survey data shows that 40% of all consumers say that human trafficking is an issue they would support their local store in combatting. convenience.org

DOJ official cites efforts to fight anti-competitive practices as NRF holds first Retail Law Summit

Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta addressed issues affecting retailers including ADA compliance and police reform

NRF had called on the DOJ to "carefully scrutinize" the Plaid acquisition, and Gupta said the department often turns to NRF and its members for better understanding of how technology works in the payments market or how payments can be more cost effective.

During a fast-paced session with Martz, Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta also covered topics ranging from websites to police reform:

Non-compete clauses

Asked about a provision in President Joe Biden's recently signed executive order on competition that would bar employee non-compete requirements used by some retailers, Gupta said the department believes "it is a high priority to empower workers" and that a "freely competitive labor market is essential."

Police reform

Police reform has been at the top of the national agenda since the 2020 murder of Minneapolis resident George Floyd, but Gupta said solving the issue will involve more than changing how police departments operate.

"Public safety is not just a policing issue and criminal justice issue," she said. "It's actually a health issue. It's a jobs issue. It's an education issue. ... There's a lot more that brings us together on these issues than brings us apart." nrf.com

Deloitte and FMI - The Food Industry Association:
New Study Examines the Future of Work in the Food Industry

Food retailers and product suppliers look past the pandemic as consumer preferences accelerate shifts in the work, workforce and workplaces of the future

Pandemic-influenced behaviors continue to impact the food industry, as food retailers cite online shopping as the biggest change driver (48%) for the future of work. Consequently, the effects are trickling down to product suppliers who are tasked with changing to meet evolving demands from retailers (49%).

Nearly all food retailers and product suppliers (over 90%) are investing in the future of work, although fewer than 1 in 5 are allocating significant investments due to competing priorities.

Growing market share is the No. 1 goal for future of work initiatives across the food industry, and 41% of companies say they will create their own future of work by building an organizational culture that celebrates growth, adaptability and resilience.

Despite varying job roles across the industry, talent availability and talent retention are the greatest workforce challenges for both food retailers and product suppliers. prnewswire.com

Shipping Crisis Continues with Congested Coasts
The US shipping crisis is not going away as 33 cargo ships float off the coast of LA waiting to dock

33 ships were anchored off the coast of LA and Long Beach waiting to dock

A supply-chain crisis has been brewing off the coast of Southern California for many months as massive freighters wait for dock space to open up.

Current port delays are near a record high. On Friday, 33 ships were anchored off the coast waiting for a spot to open up to unload at Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, according to data from the Marine Exchange of Southern California.

California ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach account for about one-third of US imports. These ports operate as a primary source of imports from China and have been heavily congested for months.

The Southern California ports are facing more congestion than ever, Kip Louttit, executive director of the Marine Exchange of Southern California, told Insider. businessinsider.com

Employers Hearing Footsteps in the Big Apple?
The Rise of New York Biometrics Laws
New York City's recently enacted biometric privacy law took effect July 9, 2021. While the law is vague as to exactly who must abide by certain subsections, it is undoubtedly consumer-focused. However, even if employers escape New York City's biometric ordinance, a looming New York state law may soon impose more expansive biometric requirements on all private entities operating in the state, including employers.

Section 22-1202 a. provides that any "commercial establishment" that collects, retains, converts, stores or shares biometric identifier information of customers must disclose its practice to customers by placing a clear and conspicuous sign near all customer entrances. This requirement is clearly limited to "commercial establishments" - which the law defines as "a place of entertainment, a retail store, or a food and drink establishment" - and such establishments' customers. jdsupra.com

States that cut unemployment early aren't seeing a hiring boom, but who gets hired is changing
States that scaled back unemployment aid have seen a decline in teen employment and an increase in workers over 25, early evidence finds

Retail expected to set back-to-school sales record
 

Senior LP & AP Jobs Market

Sr. Director Physical Security & LP job posted for Fanatics (Remote)
The global security director will lead and manage a global staff of security guards and oversee third party vendors. Proactively develop and lead physical operational safety measures concerning Fanatics and their employees. Responsible for the design, installation and integration of security systems equipment including, but not limited to, Access Control/Intrusion Detection and Surveillance systems. The Global Security Director will also be responsible for the continuous review of existing standards and will stay abreast of developments in new technology that will enhance the physical security of Fanatics buildings and co-locations. jobs.lever.co

Theme Park Director of Security & LP job posted for Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, IN
The Director of Security and Loss Prevention is responsible for planning, directing, and managing the physical security and loss prevention operations at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari with a focus on protecting employees, guests, and company assets. The Director of Security and Loss Prevention will work closely with the Human Resources and Financial Services departments to investigate loss and/or theft claims, while also providing a proactive approach to identify and deter theft, shoplifting, and other forms of loss. recruiting.paylocity.com
 

Manhattan Diamond District Robbery Crew Busted after 2 Years
Two Men Charged In Connection With 11 Robberies And Attempted Robberies
Of Luxury Watches In New York City, New Jersey, And Long Island
Southern District of New York, and Dermot Shea, Police Commissioner for the City of New York ("NYPD"), announced the unsealing of a Superseding Indictment charging VICTOR RIVERA, 30, and JOHAN ARAUJO, 40, with conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, attempted robbery, attempted extortion, interstate transportation of stolen property, money laundering, and firearms offenses. ARAUJO was arrested on July 23. RIVERA was previously charged in an Indictment in November 2020 and is currently in custody. This case is assigned to United States District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein.

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: "As alleged in the Indictment, the defendants committed a series of armed robberies and attempted robberies of jewelers and other owners of luxury watches in and around New York City. In one of these robberies, a victim was shot.

From at least in or about October 2019 up to and including November 2020, RIVERA, ARAUJO, and others known and unknown agreed to rob victims of luxury watches worth up to hundreds of thousands of dollars each. The watches owned by victims targeted in the robberies included Richard Mille, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe as part of the jewelers' businesses based in Manhattan's Diamond District. RIVERA used guns to commit several of the robberies, and in one robbery, shot a victim, who survived. justice.gov

Tampa Woman Sentenced In $225,000 Credit Card Fraud Scheme
Ariel Tillman (37, Tampa) to two years and eight months in federal prison for credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft. As part of her sentence, the court also entered a money judgment of $225,271.04, the proceeds of the fraud.

From approximately July through October 2018, Tillman and others devised and executed a scheme whereby they obtained stolen credit card numbers and used those account numbers to purchase stamps at night from self-service kiosks at dozens of various U.S. Post Offices. They then sold the stamps on the secondhand market. justice.gov

West Sacramento Couple Indicted for Mail Fraud and Identity Theft
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A 12-count indictment was unsealed today charging West Sacramento residents Kimberly Acevedo, 50, and Philip Rich, 49, with mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, possession of stolen mail, and unlawful possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices.

Between March 2019 and March 2021, Acevedo and Rich perpetrated a mail fraud scheme that involved theft of U.S. mail, identity theft, and unlawful possession of dozens of stolen bank cards. Generally, Acevedo and Rich obtained the personally identifiable information (PII) of victims and used that information to apply for new credit cards, debit cards, checkbooks, and other financial instruments to be sent to the victims' real home addresses. The defendants then submitted change-of-address requests to USPS at www.usps.com using the victims' PII. These change-of-address requests rerouted the victims' mail to defendants' shared home address, where they would open the mail and use its contents to make fraudulent purchases and cash fraudulent checks.

If convicted, Acevedo and Rich both face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison for mail fraud, five years in prison for possessing stolen mail, and 10 years in prison for possessing more than 15 unauthorized access devices. The defendants also face a mandatory additional sentence of two years in prison if convicted of aggravated identity theft and a maximum fine of $250,000 on each count. Each facing a max. 37 years in prison. justice.gov

Northborough, MA: Men charged in Dick's Sporting Goods Retail Theft Ring
Police in Northborough recently arrested two men who now face charges after they allegedly stole nearly $14,000 in items from various Dick's Sporting Goods stores. The suspects, Manuel Antonio Gutierrez, 33, of Port Washington, N.Y., and Jose Antonio Jara, 37, of Elizabeth, N.J., face a total of 12 charges. Two men - Jara and Gutierrez - were in the car and there was a white bag matching the description given to police next to Gutierrez, officers wrote.

When police opened luggage in the trunk of the car, there were "hundreds [of] pieces of clothing with price tags and theft detection devices still attached" inside the luggage. The loss prevention staff member told police the items were Dick's Sporting Goods merchandise, but they didn't believe it was from the Northborough store. Seven pairs of Nike pants, seven pairs of Nike shorts and 12 Nike sweatshirts, valued at a total of $1,500, are alleged to have come from the Northborough store. In total, 106 shirts, 70 pairs of shorts, 78 pairs of pants, 59 hats and two swimsuits - totaling $13,870 - were found in the suitcases. Police also found two white bags made with "heavy" duct tape. "Through my training and experience, shoplifters use these thick bags to prevent the security alarms from being activated on items that contain theft detection devices," officers wrote. communityadvocate.com

Calabasas, CA: The search is on for two thieves who targeted a makeup store
Video shows a brazen attack at the Ulta Beauty store in the 23700 block of Calabasas Road. According to the store employees, the attack happened on July 22 around 12:30 p.m. In the video obtained by FOX 11, two suspects are spotted stuffing garbage bags with stolen perfumes. A store employee says she stepped in to use her training. "When we see people stealing, we are told to go up and basically 'customer service' them. Which means go up and say, 'Can I help you with anything?'" explained Cheri, the store employee. "Kind of in a way to get them to stop or run away." What makes the brazen theft even more shocking was how the thieves ignored her. Cheri told FOX 11 she has since quit her job at Ulta. foxla.com

Gonzales, LA: Police releases new surveillance photo in $1,200 Walmart felony theft

Marion County, FL: Sheriff's Office thanks public in identifying woman who stole $300 in Walmart merchandise

Odessa, TX: OPD investigating Lowe's Home Improvement theft