Retailers share how they use face matching AI for workplace violence prevention, store safety

FaceFirst helps you comply with new workplace violence laws and provide safer stores

California recently joined a growing number of states requiring employer workplace violence programs. At FaceFirst, that's our focus every day! Whether you're facing violent ex-employees, violent ex-spouses, or violent day-to-day thieves, our face matching software provides active threat management. We send immediate alerts when known threats enter. Our real-time notifications help you provide safer stores for your employees and customers.

Senior retail LP experts shared their real-world store safety experiences from the 2023 APEX stage in Nashville. Here are two examples from one session:

"We've partnered with FaceFirst for five years. They've really helped us enhance the efficiency of our store management and asset protection teams. With real-time alerting, we know who's walking into our stores within three to five seconds. It gives us situational awareness for threats of violence, for those individuals we don't want our people to approach. It helps reduce law enforcement's response time to our stores, too. It's been absolutely great for us."

"When we went to the organization about the need for this [face matching] technology, our first priority was life safety. The majority of C-suite discussions today are: How do we keep our stores, our customers, and our associates safe? I don't know of a better tool that helps us be more proactive and mitigate threats in our stores. This technology has advanced so much, and you're going to see it grow exponentially. If you're interested in this tool, I would tell your organization: You're going to be way behind the curve without it."

Another APEX session focused specifically on workplace violence. FaceFirst can help you comply with laws that require companies to implement workplace violence programs. California's new law takes effect July 1, 2024. At least nine states now require employers to provide workplace violence programs.

The human tragedies of workplace violence are incalculable, but there are other costs to consider. After a former employee killed seven people in January 2023, California fined the two employers involved for failing to have a workplace violence notification system in place. They also cited one of the two employers for failing to address previous workplace violence incidents.

FaceFirst has seen significant market adoption driven by in-store violence and theft. Our face matching technology delivers vital life safety, loss prevention, and investigative benefits.

Calculate the risks of being caught unaware when a known offender enters your store. If you knew there was a proven solution to keep your valued employees and customers safer from violent offenders, would you implement it? The real risk is answering no.

FaceFirst's solution is fast and accurate-take action today at facefirst.com.
 

Retailers & Lawmakers Unite Against ORC
NRF to Host 'Fight Retail Crime Day' Press Conference with Congressional Leaders

WHAT: The National Retail Federation is declaring Oct. 26 Fight Retail Crime Day and is convening retailers in Washington, D.C., to advocate for passage of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act.

As alarming incidents of organized retail crime continue to occur across the country, congressional leaders and retailers are coming together to urge for passage of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act. This bipartisan, federal solution would establish a national coordination center, combining expertise and resources from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and retail industry representatives to curb organized retail crime.

WHO:
 
• NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay
• Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa
• Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev.
• Rep. David Joyce, R-Ohio
• Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev.
• Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev.
• Additional guests to be announced

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. ET

WHERE: Senate Swamp - U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. 20510

WHY: This day of action unites the retail community to advocate for solutions in combating organized retail crime. NRF's 2023 National Retail Security Survey found that retailers lost an estimated $112.1 billion to shrink in 2022, and more than two-thirds (67%) said they were seeing even more violence and aggression from ORC perpetrators compared with a year ago.

As the leading authority and voice for the retail industry, NRF has long advocated for policy solutions to stifle the threat of retail crime in stores large and small across the country.
 
Learn more about the "Reality of Retail Shrink."


ORC's Worldwide Impact
Rising Retail Theft Is a Global, Not American, Problem
Hundreds of retailers are shutting down across the country in what some experts are dubbing the "retail apocalypse," and a large number of the closures are tied to an uptick in retail crime.

This month, Target announced it would be closing nine stores due to skyrocketing shoplifting levels. Walmart has also dealt with similar concerns at its locations, shuttering four in Chicago and warning that price increases could be on the way as inventory disappears.

Across the sector, retail crime is having a significant impact on companies' bottom lines. In 2022, inventory shrink contributed to $112.1 billion in losses, up from $93.9 billion in 2021, the latest National Retail Security Survey found.

The problem is not actually American in nature, however. In a letter penned by the British Retail Consortium, company leaders from some of the nation's top 88 stores called on U.K. Home Secretary Suella Braverman to take action on the rising retail theft taking place across their country.

The company leaders said store employees face "unacceptable levels of violence and abuse," as many store visitors participate in organized crime or even violence toward the workers themselves. As part of the letter, leaders asked for a new statutory offense, making it a specific crime to assault, threaten or abuse a retail worker.

If enacted, company officials say it would send a "clear message" from Parliament that retail crime is not tolerated while boosting safety for their workers.

Mirroring American levels of rising crime, rates of violence and abuse toward retail employees in the United Kingdom have nearly doubled pre-pandemic levels. In 2022, workers dealt with 867 incidents every day, according to the BRC 2023 Crime Survey.

In the United States, many retailers have pushed for legislation like the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act. The bill works to create an Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center which would support sharing retail crime information across states and to the federal government. newsweek.com


Retailers Worldwide Adopt Facial Recognition as Theft Deterrent
NZ retailers turn to facial recognition to stem surge in crime
Retail crime has surged in New Zealand, with the latest Survey report published by industry group Retail NZ citing the annual cost of retail crime at a staggering NZ$2.6 billion (roughly US$1.5 billion). Retail crime is also on the rise in Australia, with the Japan Times reporting an estimated AU$10 billion loss ($6.4 billion) in the year for both Australia and New Zealand combined.

Just like in other places, notably including Britain, rising retail theft has motivated adoption of facial recognition.

Retail NZ's report reveals that 92 percent of retailers surveyed fell victim to crime in the past year, with an increase in violent and brazen attacks.

Experts attribute the surge in retail crime to a myriad of factors. While many associate increased thefts with the cost-of-living crisis, another significant factor is an increasing trend among young people to steal for social media notoriety, observers say. Organized crime, where items are stolen to order by career criminals, also plays a significant role. According to Phil Thomson, the CEO and co-founder of Auror, a retail crime intelligence platform, 60 percent of thefts are committed by individuals who make a living out of it.

Another contributing factor cited by retailers in the survey is the lack of adequate deterrents for thieves. According to one survey respondent, "Police are understaffed and do not prioritize retail crime. There is little in the way of deterrent as the crime is considered minor now."

In light of these escalating crime rates, businesses in New Zealand and Australia are revamping their security measures. Many are turning to technology solutions like rooftop sensors, automatic gates at self-checkouts, and facial recognition software, Japan Times reports. Other preventive measures include the installation of bollards to deter ram raids.

In its survey report recommendations, Retail NZ urges the government to cooperate closely with retailers to address the issue. They are advocating for the introduction of facial recognition and automated number plate recognition (ANPR) technology to counteract crime in the sector and for the imposition of stricter penalties for individuals who assault retail workers. biometricupdate.com


Canada Grappling with Same ORC Crisis
New Toronto Crime Stoppers campaign targets 'organized retail crime' that goes beyond shoplifting

Toronto police say they have seen a rise in crimes targeting retail spaces and some of it appears to be organized.

"Organized retail crime poses significant safety risks to both store employees and consumers and it leads to the sale of both stolen and counterfeit goods," TPS Board Chair Ann Morgan said at a news conference Tuesday to kick off a new Crime Stoppers awareness campaign.

Rui Rodrigues, executive advisor for the Retail Council of Canada, said that while traditional shoplifting is a problem, it typically involves individuals stealing single items for their own personal use. Increasingly, he said, stores are seeing individuals stealing large volumes of items for resale, sometimes at the behest of people operating illicit online storefronts where they can sell the stolen goods.

Rodrigues said, "There are professional groups that steal and it is an enterprise. There are groups that are preying upon marginalized individuals across Canada." He said storefront workers - not just at large retailers with many locations - are seeing an "unprecedented" amount of violence.

Toronto Crime Stoppers Chair Sean Sportun said proceeds from the thefts often go toward funding other types of criminal activity as well.

Rodrigues said his group would like to see amendments to the criminal code to differentiate between simple shoplifting and more organized and violent crimes targeting retail.

"It's not about shoplifting," he said. "It's putting an emphasis on the criminals and the criminal organizations that are proliferating those types of crimes in our communities." cp24.com


Has the 'Defund' Movement Fueled Retail Looting?
Alleged Philadelphia Looter's Lawyer Cries Racism
Dayjia Blackwell, also known as "Meatball" among her digital fans, is facing six felony charges for the incident that occurred on September 26. Blackwell's live stream follows her as she accompanies mobs of looters who broke into several retail stores in Philadelphia. She is being held on a $25,000 bond.

Jessica Mann, the attorney representing Blackwell, said she was "sickened" by the coverage of Blackwell's case. Mann accused the media of using the incident to attack minorities "mercilessly."

Mann also claimed that the looters were justified in their actions after the recent shooting of Eddie Irizarry, whom Officer Mark Dial fatally shot on August 14. Mann and other activists accused Dial of murdering Irizarry, although Irizarry was seen brandishing a knife.

The increase in looting has put pressure on Democrat lawmakers in Philadelphia, who are accused of either remaining silent or implicitly supporting rioters. Senators John Fetterman and Bob Casey have notably avoided the issue. Their constituents are urging them to speak up and take action.

Retailers have seen an unprecedented rise in retail crime throughout the year in far-left cities. Many incidents include organized efforts by mobs of violent looters. The surge in violence and crime has prompted retail giant Target to close nine stores in five blue cities and partner with the Department of Homeland Security.

The rise in retail crime follows the decision of Democrat officials to embrace the "Defund the Police" movement. Blue cities have slashed police funding in recent years, sometimes significantly. Hillary Ronen, the City Supervisor of San Francisco, notably supported the move, then reversed course after begging for more police officers earlier this year.

Her district has been hit especially hard by an increase in retail crime. She accused the officers and mayor of betraying her and her constituents. They frequently respond by telling her that no officers are available to send. nationrise.com


Oakland's Crime Crisis Mapped
Actions Have Consequences: Crime Out of Control in US Cities

The crime map for Oakland, California, provides a telling glimpse into the reality that locals there live with on a daily basis.

The colored dots indicate incidents of car thefts, assaults, drug-related crimes, robberies, and so on that have taken place in and around Oakland the previous week. The map is an indicator of what many have known for some time-namely, that failure to support law enforcement and prosecute criminals will result in more crime.

In 2020, far-left lawmakers and activists called for the defunding of America's police departments. Claims like "Defunding the Police Will Actually Make Us Safer" from the American Civil Liberties Union discouraged policing and encouraged crime. Now, America is reaping the consequences.

Meanwhile, in the nation's capital, violent crime has increased 39% so far in 2023, compared with the year before, according to Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department.

After nights of violence and looting at stores in Philadelphia in late September, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced plans to close all 48 of its Philadelphia locations. Most have since reopened, but some remained closed for repairs. dailysignal.com


ORC Slams Target's Bottom Line
Target stock wipes $30B in 6 months as 'violence and theft' soar
In recent months, Target Corporation has seen a significant decline in its stock market performance, notably lagging behind the robust gains seen in the broader S&P 500 index throughout 2023.

This downward trend can largely be attributed to shifting consumer sentiment, sluggish company sales, and weakening demand for certain product categories. In addition, widespread boycotts against the company's controversial Pride-themed clothing line for children also played their part.

However, a less-discussed factor has also played a role in Target's struggles - the substantial losses incurred from organized retail crime and in-store thefts, adding an additional layer of challenge to the company's 2023 performance.

Target closed multiple stores due to organized retail crime

In May 2023, Target said it expected to sustain $1.3 billion in losses due to "theft and organized crime." At the time, the retail giant said its profit would lose $500 million more than what it did in 2022, when it took a $800 million hit because of an "inventory shrink."

Since this warning, TGT shares have plummeted considerably. Notably, the company lost $30 billion in market value in 6 months since theft activity accelerated, dropping from nearly $170 apiece to the current $106.6, The Kobeissi Letter pointed out on October 4.  finbold.com


LP Programs Ramp Up Ahead of Expected Holiday Theft Surge
Gearing Up for a Great Holiday Season
Shrink is always of concern for retailers, but the holiday rush can drive up losses alongside sales. More people shopping means more to keep track of, giving thieves ample opportunities to sneak merchandise out unnoticed.

Retailers would be wise to begin evaluating their loss prevention programs now to ensure that they can scale with holiday demands. Looking at data from previous years as well as other, more recent demand spikes can highlight high-risk items and areas to help retailers harden the right targets.

Data from computer vision and other AI-enabled analytics solutions can also help in this regard, as cross-referencing the information from these datasets can give insights into thieves' tactics, which items are prone to bulk theft events, and more. Meanwhile, RFID systems can help on the other side of the coin, acting as proof of a stolen item's origin and giving retailers the chance to recover stolen goods.

The holiday season's reputation as an unpredictable and overwhelming time of year is well-deserved, but it's not insurmountable. While it used to be a time marked by guesswork and gut feelings, today's retailers have the tools to bring many aspects of their operations back into their control.

With the industry's recent investments in digitalization and customer experience improvements, most retailers already have the data they need at their fingertips. They just need to find the right ways to use it. When they do, they'll be able to rest easier - during the holiday season and any other time of year. mytotalretail.com


Ex-Con Walks Free No-Bail After $70k High-End Boutique Robbery
Illinois SAFE-T Act Lets Parolee Walk Free

IL State's Attorneys Already Voicing Concerns About Suspects Avoiding Jail & Court
As Illinois prosecutors deal with provisions of the SAFE-T Act, including cashless bail, the long-term repercussions remain to be seen.

Jeffrey Clayton, executive director of the American Bail Coalition, said there are several serious crimes that will allow a person to avoid jail time.

"The question now is what is the detention list and I have obtained a copy and I can tell you that there are going to be some really serious offenders who are not going to be going to jail," Clayton said.

One example is a case involved the robbery of a high-end boutique in Hinsdale where a gang used a sledgehammer to shatter a window before making off with nearly $70,000 worth of merchandise. Blood was left at the scene, and DNA testing matched the DNA to an individual on parole who was convicted of armed robbery and aggravated battery. The man subsequently was able to walk free without posting bail.

Recently, McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally blasted the SAFE-T Act on social media, highlighting non-detainable offenses like aggravated battery and strangulation, and said the law is a "far cry from being safe." thecentersquare.com


Assaults against NYPD cops have skyrocketed by 25%+ since last year: data
Assaults against NYPD cops have skyrocketed by more than 25% this year, troubling new police data obtained by The Post shows.

So far in 2023, 1,731 assaults on cops have been reported, compared to 1,371 for the same period last year - a 26.25% increase, the NYPD statistics show.

The numbers include attacks on uniformed cops as well as those against off-duty officers who take "police action" - meaning identifying themselves as members of New York's Finest, the NYPD said.

Patrick Hendry, the president of the Police Benevolent Association union, blamed "anti-police activists" and criminal cases being "thrown out" among the reasons for the dramatic spike. nypost.com


Alabama Lawmakers Put Forward a Bill Aimed at Retail Crime
Retailers in Alabama have expressed concerns that if state leaders don't crack down harder on this crime it will get much worse.

What's behind the reports of 'unprecedented' retail theft

The Growing Scourge of Organized Retail Theft: Seeking Justice, Not Vengeance

AI & Workplace Safety
Companies Turn to AI to Improve Workplace Safety
While the use of generative AI to save HR professionals time and boost their productivity has captured headlines, another use of artificial intelligence in the workplace is having a significant impact: improving worker safety and reducing on-the-job injury and fatality rates.

Workplace fatality rates rose significantly in 2021, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), to the highest annual rate since 2016.

To help reverse the trend and enhance occupational safety, more companies are turning to AI, advanced data analytics tools and other safety-related technologies, according to a report from the National Safety Council (NSC), a nonprofit safety advocacy organization in Itasca, Ill.

Natural Language Processing

Commonly used in other areas of HR, such as for sentiment analysis of engagement surveys, natural language processing (NLP) technology is now being used to reduce laborious manual processes and streamline safety reporting.

Computer Vision Technology

Computer vision technology monitors video footage and images in the workplace, detecting a wide variety of objects to identify risks. "It includes things like automated alerts for equipment malfunctions, understanding if someone is wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment [PPE] or even identifying actions that can lead to workplace violence," Ischer said.

Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics Engines

Predictive and prescriptive analytics use AI to help learn cause and effect from historical safety data, with the goal of helping organizations avoid safety incidents before they occur-or to mitigate the fallout once such events have happened.  shrm.org


Workers Demand '24/7 Store Security & Safety Plans'
Southeast Waffle House workers rallied in Downtown Atlanta

Workers are demanding a higher minimum wage and 24/7 security at Waffle House stores.

Waffle House workers from Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina rallied at the 100 Piedmont Avenue store in downtown Atlanta last month after delivering a petition to management demanding better workplace safety, higher wages and an end to mandatory paycheck deductions for shift meals.

They've joined forces with the Union of Southern Service Workers to push for 24/7 store security and safety plans, a guaranteed $25 per hour pay rate for all Waffle House employees and the option to buy discounted shift meals.

In addition to the risk of burns and other injuries, Green said, the customers can create an unsafe environment.

"My customers sometimes will show up trying to provoke me into a fight, because they think we're all MMA fighters or something," he said. "We're just people trying to do our job. That's why we're demanding 24-hour security. atlantaciviccircle.org


Applying AI to Returns Management
Retailers Use AI to Master Holiday Returns
As rising costs squeeze margins, retailers have to find some way to tackle the long holiday returns season without losing their proverbial shirts. AI can help retailers ensure that returns won't force them to start the post-peak season in a rut. By strategically applying AI to returns management, retailers can become more efficient and remain profitable during the holiday season and beyond.

However, retailers can go a step further by looking at returns as an integral part of returns management, rather than as a separate category. When retailers evaluate returns as part of a larger supply chain rather than evaluating each return separately, savings related to markdowns, logistics costs and employee time can be realized. mytotalretail.com

 
NRF Economist Says U.S. Economy Still Shows Resilience
The U.S. economy is continuing to grow even as labor disputes across the country and uncertainty created by Congress add to the ongoing challenges of inflation and high interest rates, NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said today.

"New turbulence from the expanding autoworkers strike and the threat of a government shutdown - which could still happen after Congress' short-term funding measure expires - have added to the existing headwinds already facing the economy," Kleinhenz said. "Nonetheless, the economy continues to chug along and defy recession predictions, proving it to be more resilient than anticipated."  nrf.com


How to Successfully Get Started With RFID: Step-by-Step Guide for Apparel Retail

LA City Council moves closer to ban cashless retail businesses

Should Toys "R" Us Be Toying With Flagships Again?

It Pays to Be Prepared!
Cybersecurity preparedness pays big dividends for businesses

Businesses are taking cybersecurity more seriously by boosting resources and preparedness, according to GetApp.

While there is still work to be done, increased investments and training are likely behind these impressive gains: the study shows that, since last year, phishing links clicked by workers decreased 25% while ransomware attacks dropped 30%.

However, the report finds that only 34% of businesses are training staff on social engineering techniques.

Phishing is down, but the overall threat remains high

Phishing effectiveness has cooled from last year's critical high: 80% of businesses report receiving phishing emails this year (from 89% in 2022), and 61% say their employees clicked on a malicious link (from 81% in 2022). While this is promising news, IT security managers consider advanced phishing attacks as the top threat heading into 2024.

Ransomware attacks have dropped from 53% to 37% year over year, while the rate of victims paying the ransom has plummeted from 67% to 36%. This can be attributed to a sharp rise in businesses decrypting ransomware on their own, along with rising adoption of incident response plans.

IT security spending is up at US businesses

Seven in ten businesses have increased their IT security budget this year, compared to 63% in 2022. Another indicator that businesses are taking security more seriously is the steadily growing number that have formal protocols in place to report a suspected cyberattack, rising from 77% in 2021 to 83% in 2022, and now up to 94% in 2023.

The number of businesses that provide security awareness training every six months has more than doubled over the last four years (42% in 2023 vs. 19% in 2019) and continues to increase at a steady pace.  helpnetsecurity.com


The Growing Complexity of the CISO Role
CISO's compass: Mastering tech, inspiring teams, and confronting risk
In this Help Net Security interview, Okey Obudulu, CISO at Skillsoft, talks about the increasing complexity of the CISO role and challenges they face. He discusses the business environment, tech innovation, the evolving regulatory landscape, limited resources, and budgets.

Obudulu also provides recommendations for CISOs, emphasizing the need to embrace continuous learning across multiple domains and build strong partnerships throughout the organization to instill a company-wide culture of security awareness.

With the increasing complexity of the CISO role, what are the top three challenges you believe they face, and how can they best address these?

The first major challenge faced by CISOs is the increased complexity of today's business environment, which is heightened by the rapid pace of tech innovation and the evolving regulatory landscape. Organizations need to navigate this business environment to be successful, which often means adopting new technologies, developing new processes, or expanding to new markets to drive growth.

However, all this complexity leads to greater risk, which means that CISOs are playing an increasingly vital - albeit more challenging - role in setting up the business for success.

Limited resources and budgets are another major challenge faced by CISOs. The threat environment is not static, and attackers will constantly look for new and innovative ways to achieve their goals. At the same time, technology itself continues to evolve, which means that a company's tech stack will also change over time. To keep pace with both the threat landscape and rate of tech innovation, organizations need to make ongoing investments in security, which becomes challenging from a resource and budget perspective.

Lastly, CISOs are challenged to keep their skills and knowledge up to date. Working in security means needing to build expertise that is both broad and deep, spanning multiple domains across technology and compliance. helpnetsecurity.com


NSA and CISA Release Advisory on Top Ten Cybersecurity Misconfigurations

Tackling cyber risks head-on using security questionnaires

Phoenix Police Leads Multi-Agency Operation Against Retail Theft
The Phoenix Police Department recently conducted a successful multi-agency operation targeting Organized Retail Crime. The Phoenix Police Department Property Crimes Bureau created a comprehensive list of repeat offenders and high crime areas to police as part of this reduction operation. Reducing organized retail theft across our community directly addresses many concerns seen around the nation. "Retail theft affects everyone. It's why we see more and more items under lock and key when we shop and in consumers end up paying for it the long run in the form of higher prices," said Interim Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan. The operation took place September 12-15, 2023, and resulted in the clearance of 248 warrants, 64 arrests, and five guns seizures. One of the suspects arrested was linked to more than $37,000 worth of stolen jewelry. The investigation connected this suspect to six cases from different areas within the City of Phoenix. That suspect was arrested on felony shoplifting and theft charges. The Phoenix Police Department would like to extend thanks to those partnerships that made this Operation successful. Four other Valley agencies made the 64 arrests, Chandler Police, Gilbert Police, Scottsdale Police and Surprise Police.  phoenix.gov


Portland, OR: 100 key fobs found in Tigard; Gresham man faces 26 charges
A sleeping man found inside a stolen car is now facing dozens of felonies for his alleged connection to at least 10 different burglary and theft cases. Trey Huggett was arrested around 5 a.m. Sunday, Tigard police said in a release, after he was spotted sleeping in a stolen car on SW Maplewood Drive. The officers recognized him as the suspect in recent burglary cases. Once he was arrested, police said, they round a stolen handgun, burglary tools and about 100 car key fobs. It's believed the 30-year-old Gresham resident targeted car dealerships and commercial properties.  koin.com


Nashville, TN: More than $50K in Gucci merch damaged, thieves steal thousands more from Green Hills Mall
More than $50,000 worth of Gucci merchandise was damaged and thousands more stolen by shoplifting suspects on Friday, Sept. 29 at the Gucci store at Green Hills Mall, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. Police said three suspects, a woman and two men, entered the Gucci store and took thousands of dollars worth of merchandise before running out of the business.  wsmv.com


San Luis Obispo, CA: Two women steal $44k worth of designer glasses from Sunglass Hut
San Luis Obispo police responded to reports of a theft that happened at Sunglass Hut in San Luis Obispo Wednesday afternoon. It happened at 2:38 p.m. and when officers arrived they learned that two females entered the Sunglass Hut and started placing high-end sunglasses into bags, then quickly left the store. Police determined that more than $44,000 worth of merchandise was stolen. Approximately 30 minutes later, a California Highway Patrol officer spotted the suspect vehicle traveling northbound on Highway 101. San Luis Obispo Police detectives went to the traffic stop and were able to positively identify the suspects as 22-year-old Akaija Elder of Fairfield, and 19-year-old Maiya Green of Vallejo as the suspects in the theft. Police say the stolen property was found in the car and recovered.  ksby.com


Colton, CA: Police Arrest Three Suspects in $12,000 Theft at Colton WSS Store
"On 09/24/2023 at approximately 8:23PM hours, Colton Police Officers were dispatched to the WSS located at 1125 N Mt Vernon Ave reference a theft. With the assistance of @sanbernardino_pd officers Colton Police Officers were able to locate and detain the three subjects. Subsequently all three subjects were placed under arrest for various charges. Merchandise worth over $12,000 was recovered."  crimevoice.com


Americus, GA: Felon convicted of stealing 5 guns from Georgia Walmart
A Georgia man will serve more than seven years in prison after pleading guilty to stealing five guns from Walmart before attempting to sell them for cash and drugs. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Georgia, Brandon Michael Hatfield stole several guns from a Walmart in Americus, Georgia before he was caught. The U.S. Department of Justice said Hatfield was stopped by store employees in November 2022 before he was able to leave the store with a .22LR caliber rifle. As previously reported, Hatfield stole several guns over several weeks and then "quickly traded them for cash and drugs," according to U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. According to the USDOJ, investigators determined that Hatfield stole five rifles on five separate occasions between November 1 and November 16, 2022 After he was caught, he admitted to officers that he had stolen the weapons to exchange them for money and drugs.  georgialawnews.com


San Francisco, CA: 10 Cellphones Stolen at Gunpoint From City Center Shopping Mall AT&T Store

Little Rock, AR: Man arrested for allegedly shoplifting $2,200 in merchandise; fire door exit
 

NRF has declared Oct. 26 as Fight Retail Crime Day

 A day of action to unite the retail community to advocate
for solutions in combating organized retail crime.