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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."
Join RetailWire's 5-Day Livestream Event!
Oct. 23 - Oct. 27 | 12:30 p.m. EST
Get ready for a week of groundbreaking discussions exploring the future of
retail! From cutting-edge tech innovations to sustainable practices transforming
the industry, their Livestream Week promises deep insights and engaging
conversations.
Why attend?
•
Live discussions with industry experts
•
Seamless networking opportunities
•
Interactive Q&A sessions
Can't make it live? No worries!
Register now & catch the replays.
Let's shape the future of retail together!
The U.S. Crime Surge
The Retail Impact
Has Prop 47 Fueled Theft Surge or Is Lax Policing
At Fault?
'Property crime has actually fallen since Proposition 47 passed in 2014'
Op-Ed: The truth about Proposition 47 and smash-and-grab robberies
Let’s start by dispelling an increasingly
common, albeit objectively false, claim by many in law enforcement that a law
passed 9 years ago, Proposition 47, is responsible for alleged increases in
property and other crimes in California this year.
The claim that a law passed 9 years ago is now driving property crime may sound
plausible, but it’s flat wrong. Studies have shown that Proposition 47, and
similar policy changes across 37 U.S. states, did not increase property crime.
And
in California, property crime has actually fallen since Proposition 47 passed in
2014.
In spite of the data, many in law enforcement continue to say that Proposition
47 is responsible for recent local increases in property crime. So with overall
statewide property crime being down,
does it make sense to repeal this statewide initiative to combat increases in
local property crime? Or does it make more sense to change local approaches to
fighting property crime instead?
So what actually deters crime in the first place? According to the United States
Department of Justice,
the certainty of being caught is a vastly more powerful deterrent than the
severity of the punishment.
That means that
increasing the perception that you’ll be arrested
by police is far more likely to deter crime like the smash and grabs captured on
video than increasing punishment through a repeal of Proposition 47 or
otherwise.
That begs the question,
are we doing a better job of ensuring that people will be caught for these
crimes? The answer is a resounding no.
Since 2013, while property crime has decreased slightly, the number of felony
arrests in California has fallen by nearly 40 percent and the number of
misdemeanor arrests has fallen by over 30 percent. In fact,
arrests in California are at the lowest rates since statistics have been kept.
Whatever the cause of the drop in arrests, Californians deserve effective
policing. Property crime – even at lower levels – is a problem we need to
address. Our focus should be on reducing the demand for these goods by focusing
on the leaders of these theft rings.
Shutting down the fencing operations will dry up the market and quickly reduce
theft incidents.
ocregister.com
'Popular' New Method for Retail Criminals --
Using Cars to Break Into Stores
Bay Area ‘ram raiding’ is rising as thieves use stolen cars to break into
businesses
 The
crimes unfold with astonishing speed — and in many cases, an explosion of broken
glass. A group of
perpetrators slam a car through a storefront, load it with stolen merchandise
and flee
in seconds.
It's an
increasingly popular, battering-ram approach that thieves have used throughout
the Bay Area, breaking
into such businesses as the
CVS
pharmacy near Twin Peaks,
Sunglasses Hut
in the Marina,
Sports Basement
in the Mission, at least one dispensary in the Richmond District,
Lululemon
in Berkeley and a
Louis Vuitton
store in Walnut Creek’s Broadway Plaza.
Police have a term for it: “ram raiding.”
According to law enforcement officials in Oakland,
the crime pattern is an outgrowth of surging automobile thefts and carjackings.
San Francisco police logged 5,166 stolen car reports as of Oct. 1, a 10%
increase from 4,690 as of the same date last year; Oakland saw a 50% uptick in
auto thefts, from 7,594 as of Oct. 8 last year, to 11,417 this year.
People who steal cars often use the vehicles to commit other crimes
— including
burglaries initiated by crashing through a store facade,
police say, citing incident reports and observations. The burglars appear to
seek out specific items, such as
cigarettes, apparel, marijuana or safes full of cash.
As their tactics grew more sophisticated, burglary rings moved on to
high-profile targets: pharmacies, luxury fashion boutiques, department stores in
downtown shopping districts.
“What we’re hearing from retailers in San Francisco is that
the city has expanded its efforts to combat this type of crime,”
said Daniel Herzstein, director of public policy at the San Francisco Chamber of
Commerce.
The crimes have become more commonplace and brazen, a shift that, according to
Dudley,
coincides with police reforms that restrict low-level traffic stops.
sfchronicle.com
Cook County Jail Population Dips to Lowest in
Four Decades
With cash bail eliminated in Illinois, Cook County Jail population shrinks
The numbers are near a 40-year low, but experts say they could rise as
defendants now deemed too risky to release remain locked up
The Cook County
Jail population has dipped below 5,000 for only the second time in nearly four
decades, a drop experts
are linking to Illinois’ historic elimination of cash bail on Sept. 18.
The jail had 4,909 detainees as of Thursday, according to Sheriff Tom Dart’s
office. The only time since the mid-1980s that the jail’s population was smaller
was a 141-day stretch of 2020, as officials scrambled to combat a COVID-19
outbreak inside the facility.
WBEZ reached out to several law enforcement groups and agencies for comment on
the jail population drop, but most did not respond. Previously, some of those
groups have predicted that many arrestees released due to cash bail’s
elimination would find new victims.
The bail measure, dubbed the Pretrial Fairness Act by supporters,
bars detention of defendants unless they are deemed to pose a significant safety
or flight risk. The law made Illinois the first U.S. state to remove money from
decisions on whether to jail defendants before trial.
“Previously, if you were charged with felony drug possession
or a felony theft charge, you could be held in jail
until you posted your bond,”
Loyola University Chicago criminologist David Olson said.
“Now, none of those individuals can be held” unless
the incident took place while they were on probation, parole or pretrial release
for another crime.”
Since the first week of August, the facility’s population has dropped 10.8%.
“The two things that explain jail populations are how many people are admitted
and how long they stay,” Olson said. “It’s likely, under the Pretrial Fairness
Act, we’re going to see fewer people admitted to jail.”
Cook County is not the only Illinois locality whose jail is shedding detainees
along with cash bail’s elimination. The Lake County Adult Corrections Facility
in
north suburban Waukegan has seen a
sharp population decline.
The drop in the Cook County Jail population is part of a long-term trend.
Since 2010, that population has been cut roughly in half, data show.
suntimes.com
Chicago PD's 1,000+ Vacancies & No Plans to Fill
Them
New Chicago Mayor's Budget; Police funding is up, without plans to address
public safety problems
Police funding is up 4.7% to $1.998 billion. The city’s police headcount is
slated to stay the same. Given how rampant crime is, that’s hard to justify.
In 2022,
1 in every 1,000 residents in Chicago was a victim of gun violence. The four
years with the highest numbers of homicides in Chicago
since 2000 took place between 2016 and 2022.
Serious crime in Chicago increased 41% from 2021 to 2022,
and by 19% from 2018 to 2022.
Even more troubling, Johnson did not present the plan the city needs to fill the
city’s 1000-plus officer vacancies.
illinoispolicy.org
Retail Shrink and ORC Insight Report
'This report is for Coresight subscribers only'
Self-Checkout & Store Closures, the INFORM Act, US Retailer Commentary
Retail shrink through theft continues to be a persistent and intensifying
headwind for retailers globally. Retailers have increasingly been impacted by
a wave of shoplifting and organized crime that has put a dent in their margins
and has become a growing focus
for the sector.
In this
first report in our new monthly series on retail shrink and organized retail
crime (ORC), we discuss
the size of the inventory shrink challenge in the US and present developments in
theft and related incidents in the US and the UK from the past few months. We
also provide commentary on the topic from US retailers’ recent earnings calls.
This report covers the
INFORM Consumers Act, Target’s store closures, Walmart’s self-checkout closures
and more.
Data in this research report include:
•
US retail shrink losses (2017–2022) and US retail shrink by source (2022), based
on recently published data from the NRF (National Retail Federation)
•
Coresight Research survey findings—US consumers’ opinions of retail in the
current shoplifting-prevalent environment
Companies mentioned in this report include:
Costco, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, The Giant Food, H&M,
Nordstrom, Target, Ulta Beauty, Walmart
coresight.com
Last Week DA Started ORT Prosecution Team & This
Week Her Recall Gets Wind
Oakland, CA.: Recall drive against Alameda County Progressive DA Pamela Price
intensifies with signature push
 In
addition to the paid signature-gatherers, the group was working with about 1,900
volunteers as of Thursday, according to
SAFE
organizer Brenda Grisham.
Price, elected with 53.1% of the vote, took office at the beginning of the year,
and her term lasts until 2027.
She has a progressive platform
and served as a longtime civil rights attorney.
Oakland has been grappling with
surging rates of violence and property crimes
that are higher than those of other major cities. SAFE says Price has been soft
on crime and ignores the needs of victims and their families.
sfchronicle.com
"It's in Every Community in the Country"
Homelessness surges in D.C. suburbs, amid national crisis, study finds
The population of homeless in suburban counties surrounding D.C. increased 26
percent.
The D.C. region joins a growing list of cities that are seeing similar spikes,
which coincided with the end of pandemic relief programs and
stubbornly high inflation. In recent weeks and months,
Phoenix;
Louisville;
Tulsa;
Spokane, Wash.; and
Santa Monica, Calif.,
reported big increases in their homeless populations. Many jurisdictions such as
New York City and
Los Angeles
have mounted aggressive plans for housing the homeless, but a shortage of
affordable housing, mental health and substance abuse treatment options have
frustrated many of those efforts, experts say.
“We are seeing these increases all over the country,” said Donald Whitehead,
executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless. “What
we are also seeing is a real criminalization and villainizing of the homeless,
which is something I haven’t seen in my 30 years in this field.”
“This is not a Washington, D.C., problem or a New York City problem. This is a
United States problem, and it’s in every community around the country,”
washingtonpost.com
Wave of Elmira St. Robberies Targets Delivery Drivers in San Francisco
Virginia launches first permanent fund for mass shooting victims
&uuid=(email))
Self-Checkout, Theft Prevention Top of Mind in
Primark's Expansion
Primark Woodfield Mall upgrades consumer experience with self checkouts
Opening its second Chicagoland store in Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois –
the state’s largest mall – on October 12. The store premiere marked Primark’s
ninth U.S. store opening this year.
 The
rapidly growing retailer expanded further into the Midwest with the majority of
its now 22 U.S. stores in the Northeast. Globally,
Primark has 433 stores in 16 countries.
For ease of point-of-sale, Primark is
offering self-checkout (credit card only)
in its Woodfield store along with seven other stores in the U.S.
Internationally, in the
last year the retailer began launching self-checkout across Europe, and
self-checkout will be part of new U.S. stores moving forward.
In regard to retail theft,
Primark has done a lot of research around figuring out the correct amount of
associates to be in the checkout area. Shoppers also exit the checkout area
through an exit terminal vector with a gate that opens after consumers scan
their receipt. Video cameras also are positioned above each self-checkout bay.
“Hosts would really be doing the work of engagement with all our customers as
they come in,” Tulip explains. “So there really isn’t a moment where you’re
walking in here by yourself. … What we really don’t want is a bland experience
here. People asked for self-checkouts because they use them, but we also want
there to be an element of our team engaging with them as well.”
retailleader.com
Dollar General Faces Another Lawsuit
Dollar General workers were forced to pump in ‘unsanitary’ stockrooms,
restrooms, complaint alleges
 Two
former Dollar General workers filed
a collective-action lawsuit against the company Sept. 29 for allegedly
violating the Fair Labor Standards Act and the
Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers (PUMP) Act. The
employees said Dollar General
refused to give them breaks or private places to pump milk at work, instead
forcing them to use “unsanitary” stockrooms or restrooms.
“It is what it is,” a manager told one of the workers when she complained about
being told to pump in her hot car or an unlocked stockroom.
The collective-action lawsuit
may include any nonexecutive Dollar General employees who were lactating since
Dec. 29, 2022, and were
not given breaks or a sanitary, private space to pump during the first year
after their child’s birth.
Dollar General did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“Instead of supporting breastfeeding mothers, Dollar General’s practices forced
those mothers into a Hobson’s choice between
using demeaning, unsanitary spaces
to express milk, abandoning pumping at work altogether or quitting their jobs,”
the complaint alleged. “Congress
clearly declared in the PUMP Act that no mother should have to make such a
choice.”
The PUMP Act, which went into effect in April, extends protections under the
Fair Labor Standards Act and ups enforcement and relief actions.
The law requires employers to provide “a reasonable break time for an
employee to express breast milk”
for a year after the child’s birth in “a place, other than a bathroom, that is
shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public.”
Dollar General “failed and continues to fail to provide proper accommodations to
its nursing employees for minimum appropriate break times and space to express
breast milk in private,”
the lawsuit reads. “Dollar General’s failure to provide sufficient lactation
accommodations is
a systemic issue that has impacted employees at locations
throughout the country.”
hrdive.com
Nationwide Pharmacy Walkout
Pharmacy staff at Walgreens, other chains reportedly planning nationwide walkout
A
Walgreens organizer said they have been in talks with pharmacy staff
from other retail chains about participating in the group walkout, per a
CNBC report.
Pharmacy staff from Walgreens are reportedly gearing up for
a nationwide walkout and multiple rallies at the end of October
to protest
unsatisfactory working conditions,
and are in talks with employees from other retail pharmacies,
including CVS, about joining them,
per a CNBC report.
The walkout and rallies, which are still in the planning stages, are in response
to
pharmacists' complaints about understaffed teams and increasing work
expectations
imposed by corporate management amid their increased responsibilities, such as
testing and vaccinating following the COVID pandemic, the report noted.
In recent weeks, some pharmacy staff from Walgreens locations around the country
and CVS stores in the Kansas City area held separate walkouts. According to the
CNBC report, a Walgreens organizer, said
the walkouts are scheduled for Oct. 30 to Nov. 1.
Another organizer, Shane Jerominski, who is an independent pharmacist who used
to work for Walgreens, confirmed those dates.
drugstorenews.com
Costco Sued for Allegedly Sharing Members’ Health Data
A lawsuit filed in Washington Western District Court alleges that Costco
Wholesale Corp. shared website users’ private communications and health
information with Facebook parent Meta, without their consent. The defendants are
requesting a trial by jury, as well as an award of damages determined at trial
or by the court.
progressivegrocer.com
Boardroom clashes most likely over return-to-office policies
REI cuts 275 employees in store operations overhaul
Senior LP & AP Jobs
Market
Director, Security job posted for Walmart in Bentonville, AR
 The
Director, Strategic Security position is a critical role charged with mitigating
risk from both external and insider threats which can affect the safety of
individuals, the security of information/assets, and negatively impact Walmart’s
brand, reputation, and operations. The Director of Strategic Security will help
design, develop, and enhance our Strategic Security program, and will work with
a team of subject matter experts focused on preventing, detecting, and
responding to these threats by establishing best practices and collaborating
with cross functional teams.
walmart.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
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Online Sellers - Robbery Brothers Get 27 Years
Fed Prison
DOJ: Brothers Sentenced to a Total of 27 Years in Federal Prison for Armed
Robbery Using OfferUp
INDIANAPOLIS- Jessie Dixson, 23, and his brother, Joqeis Dixson, 22 of
Indianapolis, Indiana, have been sentenced to a total of 27 years in federal
prison after pleading guilty to commercial robbery and brandishing a firearm in
furtherance of a violent crime.
On May 14, 2020, Jessie and Joqeis Dixson used OfferUp, an online marketplace,
advertise the purported sale of a PlayStation game console. Victim N.B. agreed
to purchase the console from the Dixson brothers. When N.B. arrived at the
agreed location, Jessie Dixson pointed a shotgun in the victim’s face, and
Joqeis Dixson took the victim’s cell phone and wallet. Both Dixson brothers fled
the scene.
Jessie Dixson was sentenced to 18 years and 7 months’ imprisonment, followed by
3 years of supervised release and a fine of $500. Joqeis Dixson was sentenced to
9 years imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release. Joqeis was also
ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution to the victim.
justice.gov
Online Buyers - Robbery Crew Facing
Mandatory 7 Yrs + Maximum 20 Yrs. Each
DOJ: Three Hartford Residents Charged with Armed Robbery of Victims Who
Advertised Goods on Internet Marketplaces
Federal grand jury in Hartford indicted JOHN VILLEGAS and JAYLEN
LASALLE, 19, and VALERIE MENESES, 23, all of Hartford, with offenses
related to a series of gunpoint robberies targeting individual sellers of
luxury goods over online marketplaces last year.
Middletown Police Departments investigated a series of gunpoint robberies of
individuals who advertised items for sale on internet marketplaces, such as
Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp. At an arranged meeting place to sell their
items, which included cell phones and luxury sneakers and accessories, the
purported purchaser would brandish a firearm, force the victim to hand over
the luxury goods, and flee. The investigation revealed that Villegas and
Meneses committed one armed robbery on August 20, 2022, in Middletown, and
that Villegas and Lasalle subsequently committed five armed robberies in
Hartford in late August and early September 2022.
Villegas charged with six counts and Lasalle with five counts of
interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), an offense that
carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count. The
indictment also charges Villegas with three counts and Lasalle with two
counts of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a
crime of violence, an offense that mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of
at least seven years.
Villegas and Lasalle appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A.
Richardson in Hartford and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Villegas has been
detained since his arrest on December 14, 2022, and Lasalle, who was arrested on
February 3, 2023, is released on a $50,000 bond. Meneses was arrested on October
5, 2023, and is released on a $25,000 bond.
justice.gov
New Study from DoorDash Reveals Shifts in How Consumers Shop Online with
Evolution of Quick Commerce
A big climate change stress test is coming for Amazon sellers and suppliers |
Shootings & Deaths
El Paso, TX: Upper Valley El Paso Speedway standoff ends in police shooting,
killing suspect
 The
suspect who barricaded inside a Speedway for several hours at an Upper Valley El
Paso Speedway died after getting shot by police Monday morning, according to
police officials. Police responded to the scene around 1 a.m. at the Speedway
gas station on Mesa Street and Doniphan Drive. Officers from the SWAT team and
the crisis team responded. SWAT officers were heard calling out commands to an
individual inside the convenience store. At one point, chemicals were deployed
into the store causing the suspect to come out. Police officials said the
suspect came out pointing a gun at officers. A SWAT officer then deployed his
weapon and shot the suspect. The suspect was taken to the hospital where he
died. He was 33-years-old.
kfoxtv.com
Austin, TX: APD investigating early morning homicide outside AutoZone and
Advanced Auto
Police say they have detained an individual following an early morning homicide
investigation in Southeast Austin on Monday. The incident occurred around 1:26
a.m. in the 2200 block of East Riverside Drive, between an Auto Zone and
Advanced Auto parts store, near the music venue Emo's. Austin Police Department
officers, responding to a call of shots fired, discovered a person with multiple
injuries at the scene. Despite attempts at life-saving measures, the individual
succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. APD, in a
press briefing, confirmed the detainment of a person of interest, who is
currently being questioned by homicide detectives. Investigators believe this to
be an isolated incident, with no further threat to public safety. Authorities
urge anyone with information related to the case to come forward.
cbsaustin.com
Nashville, TN: Man run over, killed at Nashville liquor store
Police have released the identity of the man who was run over and killed at a
Nashville liquor store Thursday night. Darrell Walker, 47, of Atlanta, has been
identified as the man who died after a fistfight led to him being run over by an
SUV on Buchanan Street at Northwest Liquors, according to the Metro Nashville
Police Department. Police said 50-year-old Perry Shannon was inside Northwest
Liquors on Buchanan Street when he was approached by a shirtless man who
reportedly initiated a confrontation. Shannon left the store and got into his
Chevrolet Equinox when the shirtless man approved his SUV. Police said the man
began punching Shannon, and a second man, Walker, attempted to intervene. Walker
was knocked to the ground by one of the shirtless man’s punches and was lying in
the parking lot when Shannon attempted to back out to leave with the shirtless
man hanging onto his SUV. In doing so, Shannon ran over Walker, police said.
wsmv.com
Memphis, TN: 1 critically injured in Hickory Hill corner store shooting
A man is in critical condition at the hospital after a shooting at a Z Market in
Hickory Hill, according to the Memphis Police Department. Officers responded to
the store at 5353 Winchester Road at 9:09 p.m. One gunshot victim was rushed to
Regional One Hospital. No suspect information is available at this time.
actionnews5.com
Robberies,
Incidents & Thefts
San Francisco Express Store Staffer Hit With Metal Pole During Robbery
A worker at San Francisco's soon-to-close Express clothing store in Union Square
was hit with a metal pole during a robbery, according to police and staff. The
Express is slated to close its doors on Sunday, according to a sign posted in
the entryway. San Francisco Police Department spokesperson Robert Rueca said an
employee was hit with a metal pole by a man, who then fled the store with
merchandise. Rueca said officers arrived just before 1 p.m. Monday at the Geary
Street store and later found the suspect after witnesses alerted to police to
his location. Officers rendered aid and summoned medics to the scene, who took
the victim to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. A store employee,
who did not give their name because they are not authorized to speak with the
press, said an investigation into the incident is ongoing. They added that the
injured employee was OK.
sfstandard.com
Texarkana, TX: Police investigating after failed robbery attempt at Lowes
An alleged failed attempt to steal cash from Lowe’s store in Texarkana has
police asking for the public’s help identifying the man caught on camera. On
Sept. 14, an unidentified man came into the store near its closing hours and
reportedly tried to snatch a bag of money from an employee as the money was
being collected from the registers. The employee did not let go of the bag,
police said. During the struggle, the employee reportedly grabbed the man’s
phone which had fallen from his pocket and hurled it across the store. While the
man ran to find his phone, employees secured the money bag so he could not get
into it. No employees were injured during the incident and no money was taken.
ketk.com
DOJ: Florissant Man Gets 135 Months in Prison for Five Armed Robberies
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge on Friday sentenced the armed robber of
five Florissant, Missouri businesses to 135 months in prison and to pay $7,022
in restitution.
Dollar Tree store at 700 North Lindbergh Boulevard on May 26, 2021
Dollar Tree at 14020 New Halls Ferry Road on Dec 1, 2021
Subway at 2544 North Lindbergh Boulevard on Jan 2, 2022
GameStop at 14031 New Halls Ferry Road on Jan 5, 2022
Subway, at 8444 North Lindbergh Boulevard on Jan 28, 2022
justice.gov
How investigators cracked an $8.2 million catalytic converter theft ring
Montgomery County detectives continue to pursue other targets in their
sprawling criminal probe.
A sophisticated
multimillion-dollar catalytic converter theft ring run out of a
Philadelphia tow yard that stole, sold, purchased, and resold catalytic
converters. In June, authorities, after a yearlong investigation that
included surveillance, undercover transactions, and high-speed car chases,
announced charges of corrupt organizations, criminal conspiracy, dealing in
proceeds of unlawful activity, and related offenses against
10 adults and one juvenile.
Between 2020 and 2023, prosecutors say, Michael Williams, the operator of TDI
Towing in Port Richmond, and a cadre of associates stole at least 2,000 of the
valuable car parts throughout Bucks County and beyond. Bucks County District
Attorney Matt Weintraub dubbed Williams the “kingpin” of the sprawling operation
that was spending a minimum of
$10,000 per night on stolen converters.
The actual number of
catalytic converters stolen could be much higher, and since the charges were
announced in June, at least 200 people have contacted the Bucks County District
Attorney’s Office to report such thefts.
Since the breakup of a theft ring at TDI Towing, there has been a 63% decrease
in thefts of catalytic converters from last year.
Figures are from Jan. 1 to Sept. 18 of each year.
This year alone, there were 1,802 reported thefts across the city through Sept.
18. And that number represents a massive improvement over last year,
when 4,173 converters were stolen in the same time.
The takedown of the massive illegal operation was a
yearlong sting complete with more than 5,000 hours of video surveillance and
undercover sales of catalytic converters, and analysts identified at least 357
transactions, according to a presentment by a grand jury impaneled to
investigate the crimes.
Using confidential informants, investigators coordinated six sales of catalytic
converters to Williams and his employees, “Start
with the little fish, the people on the outside, the people on the corners, to
draw an analogy. And you work up the chain.”
inquirer.com
Corvallis, OR: Man who robbed Fred Meyer, then used a shank, sentenced to 7 ½
years
Los Angeles, CA: LAPD searching for 3-man burglary crew targeting San Fernando
Valley businesses
Marietta, GA: Police use unique method to catch Marietta man in string of
burglaries
Indianapolis, IN: 18-year-old male tied to 9 Robberies tracked down by IMPD
UK: Norwich, England,: Fast food attacker banned from every Burger King in UK;
he had poured drink over the manager’s head, verbally threatened staff and
jumped on the counter
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Featured Job Spotlights
An Industry Obligation - Staffing
'Best in Class' Teams
Every one has a role to play in
building an industry.
Filled your job? Any good candidates left over?
Help Your
Colleagues - Your Industry - Build
a 'Best in Class' Community
Refer the Best & Build the Best
Quality - Diversity - Industry Obligation
Loss Prevention Manager (House of Sport)
Boston, MA - posted
October 10
As a Loss Prevention Manager, you will support the Store Leadership team in
achieving company objectives by managing all Loss Prevention programs and
policies within the store. This key role will have the tremendous responsibility
of keeping our associates, customers and our store safe...
District Asset Protection Partner
Tucson and Chandler/Phoenix
Area - posted
September 27
The Asset Protection (AP) Partner is a strong communicator, advisor,
investigator, and compliance partner. This role is responsible for asset
protection program execution at all levels and implementing methods to prevent,
and control losses, in support of protecting company assets. This role
collaborates with store teams, Human Resources, Supply Chain, and District
Management...
District Asset Protection Partner
West Sacramento, CA - posted
September 26
The District Asset Protection (AP) Partner is a strong communicator, advisor,
investigator, and compliance partner to our Stores. This role is responsible for
driving shrink improvement and leadership of asset protection program execution
at the District level. The District AP Partner is responsible for assessing
store-based shrink initiatives, promoting shrink awareness, and implementing
methods to prevent, and control losses...
Asset Protection Specialist
Newburgh, NY - posted
September 25
The Asset Protection Specialist role at Ocean State Job Lot is responsible for
protecting company assets and monitoring store activities to reduce property or
financial losses. This role partners closely with store leadership and the Human
Resources team, when applicable, to investigate known or suspected internal
theft, external theft, and vendor fraud...
Security Director
Chicago, IL - posted
September 7
Reporting to the VP of Corporate Security, the Director of Corporate Security is
a professional security practitioner that acts as an advisor/consultant to the
assigned Property Management Group. Responsibilities include monitoring security
vendors' performance, evaluating for contract compliance, and serving as a
program quality control manager...
District Asset Protection Manager
Washington, DC - posted
August 31
The MidAtlantic Division has an opening for a District Asset Protection Manager
in Northern Virginia. This person will support Fairfax, Arlington, and Loudoun
counties. This is a salary role with up to 70% travel within the assigned
district. District Asset Protection Manager will provide positive/proactive
leadership, and instruction in the area of Security/Asset Protection...
Corporate & Supply Chain Asset Protection Leader
Quincy, MA - posted
August 3
The primary purpose of this position is to manage the Corporate Asset Protection
function for all US Support Offices and Supply Chain. Direct team in the design,
implementation and management of physical security processes and equipment to
ensure facilities are considered a safe and secure environment for all
associates and external parties...
Occupational Health & Safety Manager
Mount Horeb, WI - posted
July 27
This role is responsible for examining the workplace for environmental or
physical factors that could affect employee or guest health, safety, comfort,
and performance. This role is also responsible for reducing the frequency and
severity of accidents. To be successful in the role, you will need to work
closely with management, employees, and relevant regulatory bodies...
Manager, Physical Security
Jacksonville, FL - posted
July 7
Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company's physical security
strategy for retail stores, warehouses, and store support center and field
offices. This includes responsibility for the capital expense and repair
budgets, developing written specifications, layout and design for all systems
and to ensure all installations and repairs are made to SEG standards...
Regional AP Mgr - South FL Market - Bilingual required
Miami, FL - posted
August 8
Responsible for managing asset protection programs designed to minimize shrink,
associate and customer liability accidents, bad check and cash loss, and safety
incidents for stores within assigned region. This position will develop the
framework for the groups' response to critical incidents, investigative needs,
safety concerns and regulatory agency visits...
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