Are Retailers Beating the Theft Epidemic?
America's stores are winning the war on shoplifting
A year ago, America's stores declared a shoplifting epidemic. They closed stores in major cities, hired extra security, locked up key merchandise and declared big losses in their financial statements. This year, retailers are telling a very different story - or no story at all. It's as if the shoplifting crisis suddenly vanished.

Take Target, for example. Last year, Target said a scourge of petty theft and organized groups stealing merchandise dented its profit by more than $500 million. Target also closed nine stores, saying "theft and organized retail crime" threatened worker and customer safety and made business unsustainable.

But now, Target is sounding a different message as it gets a better grip on lost merchandise, known as shrink. (Shrink and theft are often used interchangeably, although shrink also accounts for inventory losses from employee theft, damaged and spoiled products, administrative errors, vendor fraud and other factors.)

Other retailers have also shifted. Many retailers' merchandise losses have stabilized or improved, and chains have publicly dialed back their rhetoric. Mentions of "shrink" on companies' earnings calls dropped 20% during the first two quarters of 2024 compared with the same period last year, according to an analysis by FactSet.

Shrink has been improving in large part because companies' accounting of their merchandise has gotten more accurate. At first, retailers underestimated how much merchandise they were losing. When they adjusted their metrics to compensate, they overestimated their original losses in some cases.

Stores have also added ways to prevent theft, which may have been effective at reducing the problem, even if they frustrated shoppers. Companies locked up products and removed self-checkout stations.

And retailers are getting more assistance from many local and state governments, which are devoting additional resources and passing legislation to crack down on theft and organized crime. cnn.com


Burglaries Down 7% Nationwide in 2024
Real-Time Crime Index Shows Nationwide Trends

The Real-Time Crime Index launched recently with data from more than 300 agencies nationwide. It's designed to show national crime trends as they develop from as many agencies as possible with as little lag as possible.

This category includes "the unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or a theft. Attempted forcible entry is included." Vehicle burglaries are counted as thefts under UCR Part I and NIBRS categorizations.

The RTCI is a sample of reported crime data from hundreds of law enforcement agencies nationwide which mimics national crime trends with as little lag and the most accuracy possible. Crime statistics are inexact, but sampling agencies in this way is a proven method for accurately measuring trends while waiting for national crime estimates published each year. Standardizing the offenses collected and time periods measured from hundreds of agencies makes it possible to evaluate trends up or down as they develop.

Not all crimes are reported to police, and the RTCI can only measure those offenses that are reported to police. Crime data is inherently imprecise with frequent (usually small) variations between different data sources. This methodology is designed to ensure that crime trends are being captured accurately even if the exact figures reported either publicly by an agency or by the FBI may differ depending on the available data source.   realtimecrimeindex.com


New DOJ Report Contradicts Other Data Showing Crime Drop
Violent crime has increased over the past six months
The DOJ's survey from the Bureau of Justice statistics is self-reported instances of violent crime over the last six months - meaning that it includes crimes that may not have been reported to police. The annual National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) showed total instances of reported violent crime - including rape, robbery and aggravated assault - is up from 5.6 per 1,000 in 2020 to 8.7 per 1,000 in 2023.

The highest recent rate of violent crime was in 2022, when the survey tracked 9.8 instances per 1,000 people over the age of 12. The rate of rape increased from 1.2 per 1,000 in 2020 to 1.7 in 2023, while robbery went from 1.6 per 1,000 in 2020 to 2.6 per 1,000 in 2023, and aggravated assault rose from 2.9 per 1,000 in 2020 to 4.5 per 1,000 in 2023.

The question of whether crime has increased in the Harris-Biden administration compared to Trump's was a major point of contention in Philadelphia Tuesday night, when the 45th president charged that "crime in this country is through the roof."

The 2024 quarterly FBI report that Muir was likely referencing does not account for crimes that go unreported to police, but does show that violent crime decreased by 15.2% when comparing the first three months of 2023 to the same period this year.

The FBI statistics included murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault under violent crimes - but was far from a complete picture, as only 72% of the law enforcement population participated in the report. nypost.com


The Last of California's Retail Theft Bills Signed Into Law
Newsom signs another retail theft bill amid rising concerns about crime in California
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday signed the last of a bundle of retail theft bills crafted by Democratic lawmakers to address the rise in organized retail theft crimes that have shaken Californians.

"California already has some of the strictest retail and property crime laws in the nation - and we have made them even stronger with our recent legislation," Newsom wrote in a statement released Thursday morning. "We can be tough on crime while also being smart on crime - we don't need to go back to broken policies of the last century."

The new law is the last of 13 pieces of legislation that have been at the center of a political saga that took place at the state Capitol this summer over how the state should address organized property crimes. The legislation Newsom signed Thursday, Assembly Bill 1960, will add tougher penalties for individuals who take, damage or destroy property while committing any felony.

"I authored this new law to hold appropriately responsible those who damage stores and property because our business owners and workers should not have to live in fear that these crimes will come to their doorstep," said Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) on Thursday. Rivas took over as author of the bill in late June, after the original author, Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria (D-Merced), received some backlash from opponents.

A source who worked on the retail theft laws said AB 1960 originally didn't get signed along with the 10 other pieces of retail theft legislation, because of ongoing conversations that took place between the Newsom administration, the Legislature, and retailers who wanted to decide if any changes should be made. latimes.com


NJ introduces bill to combat organized retail crime
In response to a nationwide increase in organized retail crime, New Jersey is looking to crack down on large-scale theft of merchandise by rings. Under a bipartisan measure introduced Sept. 12 by state Sens. John Burzichelli, D-3rd District, and Holly Schepisi, R-39th District, the state would establish a new law enforcement unit to target professional theft rings that methodically move from community to community, stealing high-demand products and selling them on the gray market. If enacted, the legislation would increase penalties for repeat offenders and ringleaders of organized operations, as well as seek to protect consumers from faulty products put into the marketplace by thieves. Additionally, the bill would implement safeguards against gift card fraud. Assembly members Joe Danielson, D-17th District, and Alex Sauickie, R-12th District, back companion legislation.  njbiz.com


Texas: Organized Retail Theft Increasing in Texas: The Texas Comptroller says organized retail theft is rising in Texas
Glenn Hegar says local and international gang members are stealing items like electronics and beauty products and giving the goods to others in the ring to sell. He says everyone loses. He has put together a ten-member task force. When they convene in January, they will make recommendations to the Texas legislature. One proposal would enhance penalties for the crime.  easttexasradio.com


Confess to these crimes in Virginia and you may not be prosecuted
A pilot program in Virginia is encouraging people to blow the whistle on their own criminal conduct.
 
This South Florida city had the highest rate of property crime in the state

City of Cleveland focusing on early intervention to lower juvenile crime rate
 

Ballwin, MO: Cameras captured the 2 minutes 4 armed robbers entered, stole $800K from Winchester jewelry store
Startling new surveillance footage shows an armed robbery at a Winchester jewelry store. The four suspects were disguised in frightening masks and the crime took place in broad daylight on Saturday. No one was physically injured, but the robbers stole hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry. Islam Abdelmajed was back at work, less than 24 hours after the unthinkable happened in his family-owned jewelry shop. "I really don't expect stuff like this to happen, especially around these areas," he said. Cameras from outside Dahab Jewelry in the Winchester Plaza captured the moment just before noon on Saturday. The video shows, what looks like an old man, asking to be buzzed into the store. Abdelmajed thought it was any other customer and let the man inside. "He opened the door, and another guy came in, running to me at gunpoint, and by that time, I knew it was too late to do anything," he said. The footage from inside the shop shows the four suspects sprinting into the store. Abdelmajed and one employee were crouched behind the counter, while one of the suspects held a gun to their faces. This same jewelry store was robbed two years ago in a grab and go robbery. The investigation is still ongoing.   ksdk.com


Collier County, FL: Two Miami Residents Arrested for Retail Theft Spree in Florida
The Collier County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) in southwest Florida has detained two Miami residents, both of Cuban descent, allegedly connected to an organized group responsible for a series of large-scale retail thefts across the state. Last Wednesday, police officers arrested Carlos M. García Ajete, 40, and Nivaldo J. García Vento, 41, after discovering thousands of dollars worth of allegedly stolen merchandise in their vehicle, according to a CCSO statement. Authorities suspect the detainees are members of a criminal gang that has been targeting major retail stores throughout the state, including Publix, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, and Winn Dixie. CCSO received information that both suspects were involved in a recent spree of large-scale thefts in Martin County and may have traveled to Collier County to commit similar crimes. During the vehicle search, police found six large bags filled with allegedly stolen merchandise: 400 deodorant sticks, razor blades and razors, fishing gear, cosmetics, and other items valued at around $5,000. Additionally, a device commonly used to deactivate security sensors was discovered. The suspects told authorities they had no purchase receipts for any of the products.  cubaheadlines.com


Lee's Summit, MO: Man arrested in Lee's Summit, accused of stealing $180,000 in gift cards
A man has been arrested and charged in Lee's Summit for allegedly stealing gift cards worth more than $180,000. Court documents state that Daowang Lin was arrested on Sept. 12, 2024, in the 300 block of SW Ward in Lee's Summit after loss prevention personnel reported seeing him involved in a scheme to steal gift cards. Lin is part of a group that manipulates gift card packaging to substitute stolen cards with altered ones, which are then returned to store shelves. When customers purchase these altered cards, they are activated at checkout and can be quickly redeemed by the thieves. Lin tampered with gift cards worth $4,750 and possessed an iPhone containing gift card data. A search of his car revealed about 700 additional gift cards valued at $188,200. Surveillance footage also showed two other unidentified individuals involved. Due to the substantial value of the stolen goods, Lin faces felony theft charges under Missouri law.  kmbc.com


Kansas City, MO: 1 of 4 arrested after $50K in glasses stolen from Kansas City stores
One of four women is behind bars after more than $50,000 in glasses were stolen from stores in Kansas City over the summer. Records filed in Platte County, Missouri, Circuit Court indicate that on Tuesday, Sept. 10, Tijazala McGrone, 24, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged with stealing for an incident that happened over the summer. The Kansas City, Mo., Police Department said that around 1:45 p.m. on June 4, law enforcement officials were called to the Sunglass Hut at 7286 NW 86th Pl. in Zona Rosa with reports of a theft. When they arrived, investigators were told by the store manager that two women entered the store and took a dozen pairs of sunglasses which totaled $4,824. They exited without paying. Surveillance footage also caught the women in the act. Then, just after 2:20 p.m. on June 13, court documents revealed that one of the women returned with a new accomplice and took another 17 pairs of sunglasses. This time the total came out to $5,366, which they never paid. They were again caught on camera. The trend continued twice more in July before investigators said McGrone was identified by a large bow tattoo on her chest. She had been caught on camera during every theft. Detectives indicated that during the fourth theft on July 31, they found McGrone on a live stream where she admitted she was about to go steal. The Regional Manager of Investigations for both Sunglass Hut and Lens Crafters told them McGrone had been involved in eight thefts at their stores between May 9, 2023, and July 31, 2024. Court documents noted that the thefts cost the companies a total of $50,915. The total amount stolen out of Platte County came to $26,472, the rest had been stolen in Jackson County.  kctv5.com


Huntsville, AL: Trio involved in Victoria's Secret theft wanted in Huntsville
The Huntsville Police Department said in a Facebook post that they are looking for a trio involved in a store theft at the Parkway Place mall. On September 10, around 6:00pm, the individuals stole nearly $1,500 in merchandise from the Victoria's Secret.  local3news.com


San Mateo, CA: Two arrested on suspicion of retail theft at Hillsdale Shopping Center