Police & Prosecutors Agree: Retail Crime Threat is 'Greater Than Ever'
'Smash-and-grab' robberies fuel new laws, but critics question the need

A national group retracted its assertion that ORC stole half of missing merchandise, but police and prosecutors say the threat is 'greater than ever'.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Virginia is one of at least 14 states that enacted retail theft laws over the past two years in response to reports of highly organized theft rings invading stores across the country and fleeing, collectively, with billions of dollars in merchandise. Social media posts showing thieves storming retail outlets helped fuel the crackdown.

Nine states passed new laws this year, either toughening punishment or creating task forces to study the potential threats posed by organized theft rings. At least one state - Texas - enacted two laws, one creating a task force and the other allowing potential thieves to avoid prosecution if they agree to an education course designed to steer them away from breaking the law.

In addition to Texas and Virginia, Alabama, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Oregon enacted retail theft laws this year. California, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana and North Carolina did so last year.

Over the past several years, retailers, prosecutors and police have pushed state and federal lawmakers to crack down on thieves who, they say, have become increasingly sophisticated and violent. Some large retailers have shuttered stores with the largest losses. And shoppers at many stores have had to get used to asking clerks to open locked displays of merchandise vulnerable to theft. Some retailers have directed employees not to pursue shoplifters, out of fear for their safety.

Despite emerging questions over the extent of the losses, law enforcement officers and prosecutors insist the threat is greater than ever, citing a recent series of busts against sometimes violent shoplifting rings amid the Christmas shopping season.

"To me, it's getting worse," said James Kneipp, a Houston Police Department detective. Police in the nation's fourth-largest city recently arrested 13 suspects for allegedly participating in an organized theft ring, he said. "They're getting bigger. They're getting ... braver," Kneipp told Stateline.

Despite the raging debate over the data, many law enforcement officials, now armed with tougher state laws, continue to assert that retail theft rings are often large and well-organized, made up of "boosters" (shoplifters) and fences who peddle the stolen merchandise online or to other stores. stateline.org


Calif. State Assembly Holds Retail Theft Hearing
CalRetailers Testifies at Statewide Hearings on Retail Theft
Cal Retailers President and CEO Rachel Michelin testified in front of the State Assembly Select Committee on Retail Theft today and the Little Hoover Commission last week regarding Retail Theft. We are encouraged to see our state's policymakers starting to take this growing crisis seriously and we look forward to working with members of both committees and the State Legislature in 2024 to further much-needed critical policy discussions that advance solutions to protect our communities from the rampant theft we have seen throughout California.

Read Michelin's Select Committee Testimony HERE.

Access the recording of the Select Committee Hearing HERE.
Continue to check back at this link if the recording is not yet posted

Learn more about the Assembly Select Committee on Retail Theft HERE.
Including materials from today's hearings (under additional information)

Read Michelin's Little Hoover Commission Testimony HERE.

Access the recording of the Little Hoover Commission Hearing HERE.

Californians for Safe Stores and Neighborhoods

Cal Retailers will continue engaging with our state's policymakers around Retail Theft and Organized Retail Crime through the Californians for Safe Stores and Neighborhoods Coalition, which was formed for business leaders and retailers representing numerous industries to collaborate on policy recommendations to combat Retail Theft. The coalition, recognizing that the safety of employees, customers and neighborhoods are at stake, will work with state leadership to implement effective strategies to combat retail crime that put businesses, employees and consumers at risk. The coalition's message is simple - focus on a comprehensive solution that Cal Retailers calls the 4D solution: DISMANTLE - DISRUPT - DETER - DIVERT

Rampant Retail Theft has forced California's neighborhood stores to reduce hours or even shut down to protect the safety of employees and shoppers. Not only does this impact businesses and local economies, it hurts the residents who depend on the goods and services neighborhood stores provide. The problem of Retail Theft will not be solved overnight, but, working with the State Legislature, Cal Retailers hopes meaningful steps can be taken to address this urgent crisis.


LAPD Making Progress Against ORC with Undercover Operations
How Los Angeles police are fighting back against organized retail theft
The Los Angeles Police Department has officers working around the clock to stop the organized rings behind these heists - especially after Chief Michel Moore personally witnessed one during his day off.

Just a few months ago, Southern California saw a sudden spike in flash mob robbery scenes. In 24 days in July and August, there were seven instances of people running in and stealing anything they could get their hands on - many times security is seen standing by, bewildering some.

Moore said he hopes security guards are witnessing the crimes to help officers track them down. Three months ago, Moore reinvigorated the department's organized retail crime unit. Now, three dozen investigators are working all day to catch these thieves.

They are working with five other agencies across Southern California, including the Torrance Police Department. Detective James Wallace and his fellow officers set up countless "blitz" operations, identifying possible strikes at stores. One of the stores that he and his team recently staked out, was a retailer that has been hit more than 200 times.

There, Wallace and his fellow undercover officers roam inside and outside of the store, waiting to catch the crooks in action.

LAPD officials said that despite the sudden saturation of the viral images and videos, detectives have seen a different reality since August. Since then, the task force set up to combat retail theft has arrested 66 key people involved in multiple crimes. Lopez believes that police are winning this battle, and believes many businesses will agree.

One retailer, WSS shoe store, said that there has been "notable progress" from LAPD's blitz operations. The state has also taken notice with the California Assembly forming a select committee which will meet for the first time on Tuesday. cbsnews.com


Target's Crime Closures Under the Microscope
Crime is worse at most of the locations it kept open near the stores they closed

Target blamed theft and violence for 9 store closures. Crime is higher at locations it kept open nearby
Target blamed theft and violence when it closed nine stores in four cities earlier this year, but a CNBC investigation found reported crime is worse at most of the locations it kept open near those stores.

In some cases, Target chose to keep operating stores in busier areas that had better foot traffic or higher median incomes, even though the locations saw more theft and violence.

CNBC's findings cast doubt on Target's explanation for the store closures and raise questions about whether the company's announcement was designed to advance its legislative agenda and obscure poor financial performance.

There was just one problem with the explanation Target gave for closing stores: The locations it shuttered generally saw fewer reported crimes than others it chose to keep open nearby, a monthslong CNBC investigation has found.

CNBC's findings cast doubt on Target's explanation and raise questions about whether the company's announcement was designed to advance its legislative agenda - seeking a crackdown on organized retail crime - and to obscure poor financial performance at the stores as it grapples with sliding sales.

Many of the locations Target closed were "small-format" stores the company opened over the last five years as part of an experiment to expand its footprint in dense, urban areas. The moves followed Target's decision to shutter four similar stores in the spring that it said were underperforming, Retail Dive previously reported. nbcdfw.com


Small Retailers Getting Hammered by ORC
68% of Small Retailers Are Seeing Above Average Shrink Due to Theft, Sparking Need for Proactive Measures

Despite a bombshell retraction in crime-fueled shrink claims, theft is still a growing problem for SMBs according to Software Advice's 2023 Retail Shrink Preparations Survey.

ARLINGTON, Va.-- On December 5th, 2023, the National Retail Federation walked back a bombshell claim about the severity of organized retail crime on inventory shrink rates at big-box retailers such as Target and Walgreens. Despite the admission that sophisticated theft rings may not account for nearly half of the billions of dollars originally believed to be lost to retail shrink in 2021, the NRF and Software Advice's new research suggests shrink, particularly through theft, is still a growing problem for small to midsize retailers.

Survey data reveals that 68% of SMB retailers are experiencing shrink rates above the industry standard of 1.5%. This rise is predominantly attributed to external theft (e.g., shoplifting, organized retail crime, and fraudulent returns) and marks a significant challenge for businesses with smaller margins and less sophisticated loss prevention strategies.

The survey findings also indicate an unsettling trend-an increase in shrink across its various contributing factors, such as theft, inventory damage, and vendor fraud. In fact, 34% of SMB retailers report a rise in shrink over the past 12 months, and 46% have experienced more theft at their stores. With shrink taking a bigger bite out of small-business sales, the focus on effective loss prevention strategies is paramount. Of the retailers who have observed more theft, 88% say they now consider loss prevention a top priority.

SMB retailers are adopting a range of strategies to curb shrink. Over half (54%) have installed or updated security cameras in the past year, a move indicative of their commitment to improving surveillance and reducing theft. Additionally, the introduction of new inventory management system reporting software and training techniques reflects a shift toward a proactive, technological approach that can keep employees safe with minimal impact to customer experience.

The full report offers additional findings, expert analysis, and recommendations to mitigate retail shrink at small businesses. businesswire.com

   RELATED: Small retailers face theft and inventory shrink in US


County DA & the DOJ Launch Separate Crime Initiatives in Memphis & Includes Retail Theft
Memphis DA targeting 12 specific crimes in public-safety push for 2024
Murder, carjacking, gun offenses and smash-and-grabs are among the 12 crimes Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy's office will prioritize for prosecution in the new year.

His office will prioritize the prosecution of a dozen violent crimes and violent-adjacent crimes by focusing on three primary categories: bail and bonds, imposing case timelines and investigative strategies.

"It's clear there is no more important issue in Memphis or Shelby County than public safety," Mulroy said.

The dozen offenses Mulroy's office will target are:

• First-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder
• Second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder
• Carjacking and attempted carjacking
• Aggravated robbery
• Especially aggravated robbery
• Aggravated assault (with a gun fired)
• Aggravated burglary (with the homeowner present)
• Violent sex offenses
• Convicted felon in possession of a firearm
• Being caught in a stolen vehicle with a firearm
• Possessing a Glock switch
• Retail theft and smash-and-grabs

"If you come through the doors of this building having committed one of these offenses, you will be held accountable," Mulroy said. "The first responsibility of any government is public safety. Prosecuting violent criminals isn't the whole solution, but it is part of the solution."

"The message needs to be if you have committed one of these offenses, you will be prosecuted vigorously. And you will go to prison."

Mulroy's announcement comes on the heels of another agency's efforts to curb violent crime: The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee announced a separate Violent Crime Initiative Nov. 28.

The federal initiative will see the addition of federal prosecutors in Memphis as well as investigations into organized crime. It also will include a community-engagement portion around crime.

Seven prosecutors from the Department of Justice's Criminal Division will be brought to Memphis, including senior members of its Violent Crime and Racketeering Section who specialize in prosecuting organized crime. Data-driven investigations into organized crime will drive the enhanced prosecution work. dailymemphian.com


Holiday Cargo Theft Continues to Surge Each Year
Winter Holiday Theft Trends Infographic and Security Tips
JERSEY CITY, N.J., December 18, 2023 - CargoNet has reviewed theft data from a ten-day analysis period spanning December 23 to January 2 for the past 5 years to help supply chain professionals secure their supply chains for the upcoming holiday. In this analysis, there were 205 incidents reported to CargoNet, and the average cargo theft was valued at $121,473. The number of incidents increased progressively each year. Last holiday season, there were 56 incidents reported between December 23 and January 2.

Like previous years, incidents were most common in Texas and California, tied at 18% of incidents in each state. Incidents in other major cargo theft hotspots remain common. Incidents in Florida tripled from 2021 to 2022. Pennsylvania also saw an increase from none reported in 2021 to five reported incidents in 2022. In Georgia, Illinois, and Tennessee, cargo theft incidents remained consistent year-over-year.

Thieves most often stole unattended vehicles and shipments parked at major retail parking lots and truck stops. However, fictitious pickups have become a favored form of theft over the last year and CargoNet expects fictitious pickups will be a favored form of theft over the holiday period. We also note that incidents at warehouse/distribution centers were a close third to these two categories. This is a common theft location for fictitious pickup incidents.

We expect that both strategic cargo thefts and theft of unattended, loaded conveyances will remain at elevated levels throughout the holiday period. Please report any suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately and contact CargoNet only after law enforcement has been notified and there are no immediate threats to life or property. cargonet.com

   RELATED: 3 Strategies For Shippers To Combat Rising Freight Fraud


Shoplifting Prosecutions Surging in Portland
Multnomah County's shoplifting prosecution rates are catching up to those of neighboring counties

A follow-up to a KGW investigation found police and prosecutors made several changes to help build better shoplifting cases.

The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office is prosecuting a higher rate of shoplifting cases than it did one year ago, according to newly released data. The improved numbers stem from several factors including changes in how theft cases are reported, stronger police relationships with big-box retailers and better follow-up to ensure that critical evidence such as surveillance videos or photos are shared with prosecutors.

Through October, the Multnomah County DA's office has prosecuted 82% of misdemeanor theft cases, meaning thefts involving less than $1,000 in goods. That's compared to a 50% prosecution rate in 2022 for that category, which represents most shoplifting cases in Portland.

The data indicates Multnomah County is now on par with prosecutors in other counties, such as Washington and Clackamas. Through October, the Washington County DA's office prosecuted 94% of all Theft 2 and Theft 3 cases referred by police, while Clackamas County prosecuted 82% of its misdemeanor theft cases.

Last year, a KGW investigation found Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt's office had dismissed roughly half of all shoplifting cases at a time when Portland business owners complained retail crime had risen to new levels and shoplifting had become more frequent and brazen. kgw.com


House ORC Bill Gets More Cosponsors
H.R.895 - Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023
Four new co-sponsors signed onto the legislation (4 Republicans), bringing the total to 103 cosponsors (55 Republicans, 48 Democrats). It's picking up activity.


NBC News: How big of a problem is 'organized retail crime?'

Small crime, big problem: Wichita retailers ranked among nation's worst for thefts

Rite Aid Banned from Using AI Facial Recognition After FTC Says Retailer Deployed Technology without Reasonable Safeguards

FTC says Rite Aid falsely tagged consumers, particularly women and people of color, as shoplifters; Ban will last five years

Rite Aid will be prohibited from using facial recognition technology for surveillance purposes for five years to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the retailer failed to implement reasonable procedures and prevent harm to consumers in its use of facial recognition technology in hundreds of stores.

"Rite Aid's reckless use of facial surveillance systems left its customers facing humiliation and other harms, and its order violations put consumers' sensitive information at risk," said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "Today's groundbreaking order makes clear that the Commission will be vigilant in protecting the public from unfair biometric surveillance and unfair data security practices."

The proposed order will require Rite Aid to implement comprehensive safeguards to prevent these types of harm to consumers when deploying automated systems that use biometric information to track them or flag them as security risks. It also will require Rite Aid to discontinue using any such technology if it cannot control potential risks to consumers. To settle charges it violated a 2010 Commission data security order by failing to adequately oversee its service providers, Rite Aid will also be required to implement a robust information security program, which must be overseen by the company's top executives.

In a complaint filed in federal court, the FTC says that from 2012 to 2020, Rite Aid deployed artificial intelligence-based facial recognition technology in order to identify customers who may have been engaged in shoplifting or other problematic behavior. The complaint, however, charges that the company failed to take reasonable measures to prevent harm to consumers, who, as a result, were erroneously accused by employees of wrongdoing because facial recognition technology falsely flagged the consumers as matching someone who had previously been identified as a shoplifter or other troublemaker.

Preventing the misuse of biometric information is a high priority for the FTC, which issued a warning earlier this year that the agency would be closely monitoring this sector. Rite Aid's actions subjected consumers to embarrassment, harassment, and other harm, according to the complaint. ftc.gov
 

Delta's biometric digital ID program expands to 3 major US airports
Delta has announced that its digital ID program is now expanding to three major airports - Los Angeles (LAX), LaGuardia (LGA), and John F. Kennedy International (JFK), the latter of which launches on December 14th. The program uses biometric face matching to eliminate the need for manual ID checks at checkpoints like bag drop and security.

Delta has seen a large majority of eligible customers opt in to the system upon implementation in Atlanta and Detroit airports. The Atlanta airport will expand the service to the international terminal as soon as January.

Assistant Administrator of Requirements, Capabilities and Analysis for TSA Austin Gould says the service is "a simpler, more convenient experience - one that strictly adheres to passenger privacy and our security protocols, as well as our mission of protecting our nation's transportation systems."  biometricupdate.com


High-Risk Industries Face New OSHA Reporting Rule
New OSHA Reporting Rule Targeting Certain Employers Set to Take Effect

Companies with 100 or more employees in high-risk industries will be required to electronically submit Form 300 Log and OSHA Form 301 Incident Reports.

In an effort to increase transparency of workplace injuries and OSHA's ability to target employers with specific hazards, effective January 1, 2024, OSHA is requiring business establishments with 100 or more employees in certain designated high-risk industries to electronically submit information from their OSHA Forms 300 and 301 to the agency annually. Touting the public's ability to utilize this data, OSHA explains that a benefit of the new requirement is the "[p]ublic access to establishment-specific, case-specific injury and illness data [that] will allow employers, employees, potential employees, employee representatives, customers, potential customers, and the general public to make more informed decisions about workplace safety and health at a given establishment."

Most employers are generally familiar with the longstanding concept of "recordkeeping" and OSHA "recordables" that a business must record and log for any triggering injuries and illnesses during any given year under OSHA 300, 300A, and 301 recordkeeping requirements. And for the past few years, certain employers have been subject to an annual electronic submission requirement in OSHA's Injury Tracking Application. ehstoday.com


Women Transforming the Future of Retail
NRF 2024 to Highlight Women Transforming Retail
What: NRF 2024: Retail's Big Show will return to New York City Jan. 14-16, bringing together more than 6,200 brands from around the globe for three days of insights from leaders of some of the world's largest and most influential companies.

NRF 2024 will include an incredible lineup of women who are transforming the future of retail. This diverse group of leaders will share their experiences and insights, offering invaluable perspectives on the ever-evolving landscape of the retail industry.

Who:

• Kate Ancketill, Founder and CEO, GDR Creative Intelligence
• Gina Drosos, CEO, Signet Jewelers (Pencil press only)
• Michelle Gass, President, Levi Strauss & Co.
• Arianna Huffington, Founder and CEO, Thrive Global (Pencil press only)
• Kyle Leahy, CEO, Glossier
• Stephanie Linnartz, President and CEO, Under Armour
• Shay Mitchell, Founder and Chief Brand Officer, BÉIS Travel
• Brieane Olson, CEO, Pacsun
• Martha Stewart, Founder, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (Pencil press only)
• Carla Vernón, CEO, The Honest Company (Pencil press only)

See a full list of speakers here.


'Rapidly increasing' COVID-19 subvariant JN.1 dominating the Northeast
The rapidly growing JN.1 coronavirus subvariant is now responsible for approximately one-third of new COVID-19 infections in the Northeast U.S., compared to about 20% of new infections across the country as a whole.

While the public health risk remains low, studies from Columbia University and in China suggest the subvariant is escaping many people's immunity, and could lead to another wave of infections, reports CNN. nydailynews.com


RetailWire Discussion: Are Layoffs Worth the Trouble?

New bill would require Chick-fil-A to be open on Sundays

Yorkdale Shopping Centre enhances luxury shopping experience with Genetec Security Center

Unified security platform heightens operational efficiency and law enforcement collaboration

MONTRÉAL, December 18, 2023-Genetec Inc. ("Genetec"), a leading technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, announced that the Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto, Canada, has unified its security operations based on Genetec™ Security Center, Sipelia™ , AutoVu™, and Mission Control™. With the Genetec platform, the security team at Yorkdale has been able to enhance operational efficiency, better collaborate with local police, and take a more proactive security stance.

With over two-million square feet of retail space and 270 stores Yorkdale Shopping Centre offers the country's largest collection of designer labels and luxury brands. Managed by Oxford Properties Group, it goes beyond shopping, offering visitors valet services, a museum-quality art collection, and 24/7 on-site security.

Click here to learn more
 

Waukesha, WI: Update: Romanian man charged in alleged retail theft spree faces deportation
The Romanian family accused of a retail theft spree at Kohl's stores in 7 states appeared in Waukesha County Circuit Court on Monday. Gabriela, Alexei and Danut Constantin have a hearing scheduled for Feb. 5. According to online court records, Danut's attorney said Danut will more than likely be deported sometime in the coming weeks, and based on that he is asking that the $35,000 cash bail on deposit be refunded to the poster. The court will address that issue on Feb. 5 if Danut is deported. Gabriela Constantin, 18, was charged in August in Waukesha County Circuit Court with three counts of felony retail theft. In October a misdemeanor charge of shoplifting after she allegedly tried stealing $$258 in jewelry from a Sussex Kohl's store on Aug. 9. The man with her, her brother Andrei, 17, also allegedly tried stealing some clothing items but returned them when confronted by a store employee, the complaint said. It added the two entered the store carrying red and white gift bags, placed items in them and tried to leave. Gabriela's father, Danut, 35, was charged with one count of felony retail theft. Another family member, Alexei Constantin, 17, also was later charged in adult court with three counts of felony retail theft. Police later searched the vehicle, a gray minivan law enforcement believed was used in committing thefts across the country, and found various items of jewelry with Kohl's tags still on them and found bags matching the ones the duo carried at the Sussex store, the complaint said. Those charges came after thefts were reported at Kohl's stores in Delafield, Brookfield and Muskego, all occurring the same date, Aug. 9, as the Sussex matter. A loss prevention supervisor from Kohl's said the family was a well-organized group that has been active at Kohl's stores nationwide, providing files showing the same suspects involved in thefts in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana totaling over $36,000, the complaint said.  gmtoday.com


Madison County, IL: New charges for suspects in Madison County armed robberies
A St. Louis woman, already in jail for an armed robbery at a Best Buy store, is facing new charges for burglary and car theft. A co-defendant was also charged in connection with the crime spree. Investigators with the Wood River and Glen Carbon police departments, along with law enforcement agencies in the Metro East, central Illinois, and Missouri, collaborated on the case, resulting in the news charges. According to court documents, Jakiaya McCoy entered two car dealerships on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, with the intent to commit theft. She was in possession of two vehicles-a 2018 Chrysler 300 and a 2013 Kia Optima-knowing both had been stolen. The robbery at the Best Buy happened later that week, on Thursday, Nov. 23. McCoy and Angel Crosby were arrested, along with a 12-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy, in the Granite City area following a brief police pursuit. The Madison County State's Attorney's Office charged McCoy, 20, with armed robbery for the Best Buy crime, as well as burglary and vehicle theft.  fox2now.com


Memphis, TN: Approx. $3,400 in toys stolen from Memphis Walmart
The Memphis Police Department is searching for a trio who they say shoplifted approximately $3,400 worth of toys from a local Walmart. Police say on Sunday, December 10, two women and a man walked into the store located at 6727 Raleigh Lagrange Road, loaded their shopping carts with children's toys, and then walked out without paying. The suspects were captured on surveillance cameras. No arrests have been made.  actionnews5.com


Roseville, CA: Attempted Roseville Galleria theft results in crash on Highway 65
The Roseville Police Department successfully conducted several more arrests under Operation Grinch as police continue to monitor the city's numerous retail locations. On Saturday evening, officers made arrests in the Galleria area of the city after making contact with two separate groups of suspected retail thieves. The first two suspected thieves were discovered by loss prevention team members at a Target on Fairway Drive, who then notified law enforcement. Officers then monitored the pair as they filled two storage bins with Target merchandise before leaving the store without paying. The two suspects were met by officers upon exiting the store and were arrested. Just a few miles from the Target, officers were monitoring another pair of suspected retail thieves at the Galleria Mall. One of the suspects fled from the Lululemon store with stolen merchandise while leaving behind his suspected accomplice. The suspect then entered into a vehicle and fled from police as officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The pursuit entered nearby Highway 65 where the suspect began throwing suspected stolen items out of the vehicle. The suspect driver then tried to off-road onto the shoulder of Highway 65 and Pleasant Grove Boulevard before crashing the vehicle. They were ultimately arrested.  fox40.com


Harris County, TX: 3 men accused of stealing computers from Walmart
Three men are facing charges in connection with a theft that occurred in Harris County over the weekend, officials said. According to Mark Herman with the Harris County Constable Precinct 4 Office, deputies were called out to the Walmart located in the 21100 block of Kuykendahl Road in reference to a theft. When deputies arrived, store employees reported that three male suspects stole three CPU computers and fled the scene in a vehicle. Officials said they were able to locate the suspect vehicle and recovered the stolen desktop CPU's, valued at $700 each.  fox26houston.com


Hammond, LA Theft suspects cut power to Dollar General store, push merchandise out Receiving doors
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office is searching for a trio of suspects who are accused of cutting the power to a store then stealing a cart full of merchandise. The case is the latest on to roll on the Wheel of Justice. According to the sheriff's office, the crime happened a little before 7:30 at night on Dec. 13. Deputies say two men entered the Dollar General Store on Pumpkin Center Road and began to fill a basket with merchandise. They say moments later, a third man entered the store and the trio systematically cut the power and exited out the rear receiving doors without paying for the items.  wgno.com


East Lampeter Township, PA: Suspect stole $3,000 worth of sunglasses from Sunglass Hut / Tanger Outlet store