Fighting Retail Theft Has Become a Bipartisan Effort
EDITORIAL: Democrats discover that retail theft is a problem
Three Nevada congressional Democrats returned home last week to tout new federal legislation intended to stop a surge in retail theft. It's an interesting concept, but the trio might also consider explaining to members of their own party how coddling criminals can encourage wrongdoing.

On Wednesday, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Reps. Dina Titus and Susie Lee were in Las Vegas to promote the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023, which all three have co-sponsored. The proposal, which would give federal prosecutors increased power to go after organized theft rings, comes in response to an increase in inventory "shrinkage" at businesses large and small in many areas of the country.

But why would that be? It couldn't have anything to do with misguided "defund the police" policies that became all the vogue in progressive circles, could it? It's all completely removed from leftist district attorneys who have vowed not to prosecute offenders for crimes such as shoplifting and vandalism, isn't it? And surely it couldn't be related to Democratic legislatures, including in Nevada, redefining what constitutes a felony when it comes to those looking for the five-finger discount, right?

There's nothing wrong with criminal justice reform and ensuring that those who make a mistake have a chance at redemption. But when such good intentions morph into willfully turning a blind eye to antisocial and criminal behavior, they become a detriment to public safety and a threat to law-abiding citizens and their neighborhoods.

Making improvements doesn't entail locking up a mother who steals baby food or a teenager who lifts a candy bar. It simply means sending the message that there are consequences for engaging in illegal behavior - particularly over and over again.

Expanding federal statutes to attack large-scale retail theft operations may do a modicum of good by adding more resources to the fight, although state and local laws already exist to combat such activity. But it might be just as effective for voters to recognize that those who advocate defunding the police or ignoring whole portions of the criminal code are neither compassionate nor working in the best interests of their constituents. reviewjournal.com


Florida's ORC Taskforce Continues to Dismantle Theft Rings
Another retail theft ring shut down by Attorney General Moody's FORCE taskforce
Attorney General Ashley Moody is announcing another shutdown of a retail-theft crime ring by the Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange Taskforce.

A Pinellas County pastor, Robert Dell, is facing charges for operating a multimillion-dollar theft ring stealing from The Home Depot. Authorities arrested Dell and four other associates for stealing merchandise worth more than $1.4 million from home improvement stores across multiple counties and then selling the items from an eBay account.

Attorney General Moody launched the Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange (FORCE) taskforce to fight back against organized retail theft and prevent lawlessness seen in major cities Los Angeles and New York City from taking root in Florida. This case is another successful example due to the implementation of FORCE. Since 2019, Attorney General Moody's Statewide Prosecutors have filed more than 90 cases and charged more than 300 defendants in cases involving organized retail theft. The Office of Statewide Prosecution has a nearly 100% conviction rate for organized retail theft cases.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, "Due to the success of FORCE, another retail theft crime ring is dismantled, and our Statewide Prosecutors continue to file charges against organized retail thieves. This pastor clearly skipped over the commandment-thou shall not steal. Our FORCE taskforce shut down his criminal operation stealing millions of dollars worth of merchandise from Home Depot stores across the state to resell the items on eBay. We will not tolerate organized retail theft in Florida and my office will continue to combat these criminal organizations."

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Wilton Simpson said, "While some progressive states may look the other way or pursue reduced charges for retail theft, this operation sends a clear message that Florida is relentless in our pursuit of justice and will not tolerate this criminal activity. I appreciate the investigators and law enforcement personnel who worked tirelessly on this case, as well as our partners at the Office of Statewide Prosecution and The Home Depot. Together, we will continue to pursue a safer and more secure Florida for all its residents and visitors."

In December 2021, Attorney General Moody launched FORCE, a statewide task force and database to help spot trends, identify subjects and take down massive, organized retail-theft rings. FORCE also bridges the gap between law enforcement, prosecutors and retailers to work together and share information on theft incidents statewide. In 2022, Attorney General Moody fought for legislation to help Florida prosecutors dismantle organized retail-theft rings and provide more tools to prosecute members of organized retail-theft rings. lehighacrescitizen.com

   RELATED: Moody, Simpson celebrate busting another retail theft ring


NY Lawmakers Call On Governor to Sign ORC Bill Into Law
Local officials urge governor to sign ink bill on organized retail crime

Local officials are calling for a bill that would help prevent organized retail crime to be signed into law.

The New York State Legislature has passed Senate Bill S61714 and Assembly Bill A6568, legislation that would establish a New York Organized Retail Crime Task Force to review current policies and provide recommendations to help prevent further theft, improve consumer protection and address the economic impact of this theft. The bill now sits on Gov. Kathy Hochul's desk, waiting to be signed into law or vetoed.

State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-53, Rome; Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-119, Marcy; Assemblyman Brian Miller, R-122, New Hartford; and Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. gathered outside of Chanatry's Hometown Market in Utica on Thursday, Aug. 3, to urge Hochul to take action.

"We've got to do more than talk about it and study it, we've got to actually take some action," Griffo said. "I'm hopeful that the first step will be the governor at least recognizing and acknowledging that this is a problem through the creation of the task force, because we want her to sign the bill expeditiously. It's already been six weeks that we've been out of session, and hopefully that bill will be signed and we can begin the process, and we can incorporate some of our own ideas here."

Griffo said that some potential solutions include publicizing pictures of people who are part of organized retail theft rings, working with law enforcement to develop an uniform approach, finding additional security resources for stores and putting legislation in place to address the issue.

Chanatry said he's had to hire additional employees and security to watch for theft. Many of those thieves are repeat offenders, who are part of an organized retail theft ring, he said.

He said there needs to be stricter punishment for retail theft. Currently, most shoplifting crimes are under $1,000, which is classified as petit larceny. Petit larceny is a misdemeanor and can result in fines and up to a year in jail, although jail time is unlikely. If the value of the stolen goods exceeds $1,000, the crime will be considered a felony and can result in a state prison sentence. romesentinel.com


Will San Francisco's Crime Crisis Impact New IKEA Store?
Downtown S.F.'s IKEA opens soon: 'Different from any IKEA store seen before'

San Francisco's first IKEA store is set to open Aug. 23 at 945 Market St. between Fifth and Sixth street.

The nearby Powell Street, Stockton Street and Union Square shopping meccas are pockmarked with huge "For Lease" signs. Nordstrom, the giant department store at the nearby Westfield San Francisco Centre, will close this month. Two blocks away, a Whole Foods shuttered in April over security issues that included rampant shoplifting and an overdose death.

Akalin said the store will adopt the same security approach as other IKEAs: in-house risk staffers plus an outside company providing guards at places such as the entrance and check-out area.

"We are committed to the safety of our co-workers, customers and the community itself," he said. "This is the same for every IKEA unit."

"While our room settings are secured for safety reasons, merchandise in the Market Hall will not be under locks when IKEA San Francisco opens on Aug. 23," Akalin said, referring to the area where products for immediate purchase rather than home delivery, will be available.

About 90% of the new workers live in the city, the majority from "around the corner," Akalin said, defining that as the Tenderloin, Mid-Market and SoMa areas. Some were hired through the city's Office of Economic and Workforce Development. "They could be individuals who had certain things in their past and are now going through some rehabilitation programs," he said. sfchronicle.com


Crime 'State of Emergency' in Oakland?
Calls for action grow as Oakland crime spikes

This comes after the Oakland NAACP branch called for a state of emergency over the issue last month

As crime continues to spike in Oakland, demands for action from city and community leaders are growing louder. Statistics show that not only is crime in the city trending up, but some types of crime have doubled or even tripled over the past few years.

"The bottom line of what we are seeing today," said Oakland City Councilmember Noel Gallo, "I can rob, steal, break into your home while you are at home, and get away with it."

This spike has led to the Oakland NAACP branch to call for a state of emergency last month. NAACP President Cynthia Adams believes tackling root causes is the only way to create real change.

The Oakland Police Department has said it's working with local, state and federal partners. Some of its tactics include firearm tracing technology, focusing enforcement efforts on active gangs, and partnering with the city's violence prevention teams."

Meanwhile, Gov. Gavin Newsom has committed to bringing California Highway Patrol officers to Oakland as reinforcement. He has also said he'll provide money to install license plate readers. nbcbayarea.com


Shoplifting 'Crime Wave' Across the Pond
UK: Inside the shoplifting crimewave, as gangs steal baby formula to cut drugs and exploit children as 'distraction' methods
At the height of her crime, Kim Farry was making more than £20,000 a month shoplifting and her living room was constantly full of stolen loot. What began as a way to support her family ended with the mother of six being trapped in an all-consuming addiction for 46 years. Now, after several lengthy stints in prison and with her money "wasted," her story serves as a stark warning. Kim shares her experience as shoplifting has increased by more than 30 per cent, retailers have lost £953million last year and store workers have witnessed more than 800 violent incidents every day.

The 62-year-old told The Sun on Sunday: "What started as a necessity turned into an addiction that took my children away from their mothers. "When one of my kids was embarrassed to bring her friends over for a sleepover because we had so much stuff I stole at home, I finally knew I had to change."

This week, the government unveiled plans to address the problem in a Crime and Justice Bill that would see mandatory jail terms for repeat offenses and greater use of facial recognition technology by police and businesses. Latest police data showed a 30.9 per cent increase in registered shoplifting in the UK compared to last year. But those on the front lines say the numbers don't reflect the true scale of the problem. In its latest crime survey, published in March, trade organization British Retail Consortium found that there had been eight million cases of shopper theft in the past year.  ustimespost.com


'We are in a Warzone'
Councilman says it may be time to bring in National Guard to deal with DC crime
A DC Councilman says it may be time to call in the National Guard after another violent weekend in the District. Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. who represents Ward 8 says the crime in D.C. is getting out of control.

"The crime is out of control and getting worse by the day. We must declare an emergency regarding the crime and violence in our neighborhoods and act urgently. It may be time to call on the National Guard to protect the children and innocent people that are losing their lives to this senselessness," White said. "I am tired of burying our children. We are too comfortable with the state of our city. We must take action to gain control and protect our residents. Law enforcement is only one part of how we combat public safety issues. It will take all of us to heal our community." wusa9.com


D.C. Crime: Gun Violence Raises City Homicide Tally to 20-Year High

Residents on edge after 3 killed in DC mass shooting

Urban Foot Traffic Still Hasn't Returned to Pre-Pandemic Levels
Downtown Minneapolis businesses forced to transform amid continued pandemic pinch

Staffing cuts, different hours and menu changes are helping some small businesses survive.

In the past three years, drastic transformations to downtown Minneapolis have forced local business owners such as Virgillo to transform their business models. Bustling lunch breaks and lively happy hours at downtown restaurants are still a distant memory for many as hybrid work and shorter days at the office take hold.

The biggest hurdle are Mondays and Fridays, when the skyways are still near empty. Because the number of customers downtown on any given day differs greatly because of hybrid work, it's hard for businesses to staff accordingly.

For an industry with slim margins, a drop of 10% can be fatal. When business is off more, owners struggle extra. Still, Chris Bjorling, owner of Gray Fox, said that business is back up to 80% of pre-pandemic levels. Owners of Sorrento Cucina and Murray's Steakhouse said their revenue is about 70% of what it was during 2018 and 2019.

Weekend traffic is not making up for the loss of weekday revenue either.

"There was a time when downtown was the place to go," said Tim Murray, owner of Murray's Steakhouse, a staple restaurant that opened in Minneapolis 77 years ago. "It was first in many people's minds when looking for something to do, and that's changed a little bit the last two years."  startribune.com


The End of Save A Lot Stores
Save A Lot sells remaining stores - finishes transition to 100% wholesaler

Save A Lot no longer operates any stores - at least not directly.

The discount grocer said it has re-licensed its remaining 18 company-operated stores, finalizing its ongoing strategy to shift ownership and operations of all Save A Lot locations to independent, licensed ownership. The stores, all in the company's home market of St. Louis, served as test locations for new innovations and programs.

The stores are being acquired by Leevers Supermarkets, a current Save A Lot retail partner with 29 locations in markets including Denver and Philadelphia. Based in Castle Rock, Col., the grocer will continue to operate the stores under the Save A Lot banner. chainstoreage.com


'We want all the brands the customer is used to'
How the Army & Air Force Exchange Service approaches retail
The Exchange, which is celebrating its 128th birthday, forges partnerships with retailers like Old Navy and The Home Depot - making for a loyal military customer base.


Tyson Foods to shut four US chicken plants in blow to small towns

Staples taps DoorDash for same-day delivery

Memphis, TN: Cargo Theft: $400K in Nike shoes stolen from boxcar in North Memphis; two charged
Two men were arrested after a group burglarized a boxcar in North Memphis Monday, stealing $400,000 worth of Nike gear. Memphis Police responded to a burglary at CSX Railyard at around 6:30 in the morning. They saw five cars, including four Nissans and a Honda, in the area. According to reports, multiple suspects were wearing dark clothing and ski masks. They were seen carrying multiple boxes from a train to their cars. Officers attempted to stop some of the suspects, but four of them fled the scene on foot. After a chase, officers caught Terry Sullivan, who had a Nissan key in his front pocket. Another suspect, Robert Doyle, ran inside the business warehouse, which MPD says only had one door. An employee locked him in, and police went in and saw him hiding under a large toolbox.  wreg.com


Stockton, CA: Cargo Theft: CHP finds $229,000 in stolen paint at Stockton warehouse
The California Highway Patrol on Monday announced the recovery of $229,000 in stolen paint. On July 31, members of the CHP's Cargo Theft Interdiction Program found 48 pallets of Sherwin-Williams paint at a warehouse in Stockton, the CHP said in a social media post. The paint was originally stolen in Nevada and traced to Stockton, according to the CHP. "The successful recovery of this stolen cargo was due in large part to the excellent communication between CHP, allied agencies, and the private industry," the CHP said. The CHP did not announce any arrests, but said the investigation remains ongoing.  mercurynews.com


Glendale, CA: Brazen mob ransacks YSL store at Americana in Glendale
A mob of thieves made off with armfuls of designer handbags after ransacking the Yves Saint Laurent store at the Americana in Glendale Tuesday afternoon. Reports of the robbery came in just before 6 p.m. An employee at a nearby store told FOX 11 that a group of approximately 30 people walked in and raided the store. One worker nearby told FOX 11 that "all merchandise was taken in less than a minute." After snatching all the handbags they could, the group ran from the store, through the outdoor mall and into multiple cars. Multiple people there took cell phone video of their escape. The thieves were seen, arms full of merchandise, sprinting through the walkway, to the curb where cars were waiting for them.  foxla.com


Portland, OR: Red Castle Games has been burglarized 3 times in 3 months: loss of $45,000
The window of Red Castle Games in Portland, OR, was broken around 2 a.m. on Sunday, August 6, and the burglar alarm went off, but owner Michael Micetic told Fox12 "unfortunately, we didn't get an immediate response." That's an understatement: For the next five hours, burglars came in and out of the store, emptying the shelves; at 6 a.m., surveillance videos show two people rolling a trash can full of merchandise out of the store. Mictec estimates losses from the burglary at between $15,000 and $45,000; this was the third time his store has been robbed in three months.  kptv.com


Miami, FL: Thieves steal from Apple stores in Brickell, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale
Detectives were searching for the thieves who recently targeted Apple stores in Fort Lauderdale, Aventura Mall, and Miami's Brickell neighborhood. Surveillance video shows the suspects who pretended to buy three MacBooks while scamming the Apple employee at the store in Galleria Mall in Fort Lauderdale, police said. The scammers used a prepaid card and when the card didn't go through for the over $10,000 owed they grabbed the Apple employee's tablet and changed the amount, police said. It wasn't the only theft at the store in Fort Lauderdale, police said. Detectives believe the clever fraudsters were involved in a burglary at the Apple store at Aventura Mall. At the store at Brickell City Center, thieves stole five iPhones and three Apple pens. Detectives believe these thieves are selling the stolen goods online.  local10.com


Wichita Falls, TX: Police say Walmart shoplifters return to fill two more carts

Zwingle, IA: Dubuque Man Arrested in For Harassment and $1,500 Theft