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11/10/20

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ASIS Retail Council Survey:
Retail Asset Protection Community - Content Ideas

The goal of this survey is to help shape content generated by the Retail Asset Protection Community. With many articles and webinars released by various industry associations these days, we would like to make sure that our group focuses on unique, timely, and relevant matters.

Please take a few minutes to provide your thoughts. Take the survey here.

All responses will remain confidential. We ask that you provide your name and the name of your institution in the event that further clarification is needed. For any member who participates in this initiative, CAP Index, Inc. is offering a free CRIMECAST Report, which you can access here.

Protests, Violence & Unrest

Some NYC stores dismantling safety boards,
while others take wait-and-see approach

Some Manhattan store owners begin taking down wood barriers

Some merchants are slowly taking down the plywood on their windows including on Fifth Avenue, feeling better times are ahead, while others take a wait and see approach in Manhattan, fearing more civil disturbances may force them to put them up again.

They feared the worst and braced for it — but the worst never came.

Most store owners in Manhattan and Brooklyn who put up plywood to protect windows from damage during potential post-election protests kept the barriers in place even as the city calmed down following Joe Biden’s victory in last week’s presidential race over President Trump.

Instead of unrest and vandalism, most of the city celebrated Biden’s apparent victory over Trump, with many dancing in the streets and popping bottles of champagne.

However, some store owners who spoke with amNewYork Metro on Monday, most whom would not go on record, say they are cautiously optimistic about the city remaining calm, but took a wait and see approach — especially as Trump continues to refuse conceding the election. amny.com

D.C. businesses start to take down plywood after 2020 Election worries
Washington DC officials on Sunday asked all businesses and property owners to remove boards and fencing that were put up last week across the District. WUSA9 saw some had started the process Sunday night, with people still celebrating in the District after former Vice President Joe Biden was projected to be President-elect by multiple media outlets.

There were not tons of damage seen on election night. The Metropolitan Police Department made three arrests on election night, and thousands did pack the streets in the coming days before and after Biden was projected to be the winner. Numerous demonstrations were expected and happened throughout the 2020 Election week. Businesses all across the District, but especially near the White House, started boarding up the weekend before. wusa9.com

All that plywood does not come cheap
The High Cost of Locking Down D.C. for Election Week
In many major U.S. cities, downtown retail districts hunkered down behind plywood last week, a practice that has become increasingly routine in a difficult year. But it’s a costly exercise. Plywood prices are up and supply is low; add in the cost of labor — especially labor that is very suddenly in demand — and boarding up the windows of a modest storefront business could cost as much as $1,500, according to the Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District. And the expenses only go up from there.

Property owners with larger storefront operations spent between $7,000 and $10,000 to board up their windows, according to Gerren Price, director of storefront operations for the Downtown D.C. BID. The costs depend on a lot of factors, namely whether building owners decided to do it themselves or hire contractors. Some owners have been able to reuse the plywood that they put up in June when protesters clashed with police during Black Lives Matter demonstrations. bloomberg.com

Texas Gov. Abbott knocks Austin for ‘defunding’ police,
says state may take over policing in some areas
As the Austin Police Department reports a rise in homicides, Gov. Greg Abbott is taking aim at the City of Austin for what he calls “defunding the police.” In a tweet, Gov. Abbott said, “Austin experiences highest number of homicides in 20 years. This is why it is absurd that Austin is defunding police. It is also why Texas will act to roll back that defunding and consider taking over policing in some areas of Austin.” kxan.com

Minneapolis eyeing outside police to help with violent crime, officer shortage
Minneapolis officials are considering bringing in officers from other jurisdictions to help the city’s Police Department as they face a wave of violent crime and an officer shortage. The officers would form Joint Enforcement Teams, known as JETs. A spokesman for Minneapolis police said the city has relied on such teams in the past, particularly to help in areas where violence was spiking. The initial proposal calls for the teams to form Nov. 15 and run through the end of the year. startribune.com

NYPD closes streets near Trump hotel to keep protesters at bay

COVID Update

US: Over 10.4M Cases - 244K Dead - 6.5M Recovered
Worldwide: Over 51.4M Cases - 1.2M Dead - 36.2M Recovered

Private Industry Security Guard Deaths: 203+
Law Enforcement Officer Deaths: 136
*Red indicates change in total deaths

Accelerated Evolution Isn't Going to Slow Down
What a vaccine could mean for retail

"Once there's a vaccine that proves to be effective,
we're going to see the floodgates open."

First to benefit from that will likely be restaurants, bars, hotels and conference centers, he said. And several analysts noted on Monday that could hurt retailers, which have benefited from the cache of money many consumers had at the end of a summer bereft of travel, dining out and entertainment.

Broadly speaking Fauci said the impact of a vaccine depends both on efficacy and how many individuals opt to take it. "[I]f we get a reasonably effective vaccine of 70% to 75% and a substantial proportion of the population takes the vaccine, I think we will be going in the right direction of some degree of normality as we head into 2021 in the second, third and fourth quarter," Fauci said over the weekend in an interview with the American Medical Association.

That's a ways away for an industry so dependent on the fourth quarter happening now. Still, that means that hope is on the horizon, especially for those retailers, including small businesses, particularly disadvantaged by the pandemic.

But retailers that managed to benefit during the outbreak are set to see that advantage erode when daily life returns to normal, while those taking a hit may see some relief.

Moreover, the pandemic has ushered in an accelerated evolution in retail that overall is unlikely to slow down much even after a vaccine is available, and challenges like those faced by malls and department stores aren't going away. retaildive.com

The COVID News Isn't Good
COVID Spreading Worldwide More Rapidly Than at Any Other Point
The U.S. and Europe are both setting records for new confirmed cases, while South America, North Africa, India and other regions are coping with serious outbreaks.

The spread is bad enough that harsh measures — like again shutting some restaurants or banning indoor gatherings — may be necessary to get it under control.

No matter what, though, much of the world will probably be coping with severe outbreaks — and thousands more deaths each day — for months to come. nytimes.com

U.S. infections are breaking records day after day,
and deaths rising in more than half the country
As cases of the coronavirus soared across much of the United States — the nation recorded more than 100,000 new cases for the third straight day and more than 1,000 deaths for the fourth straight day — places that held the virus at manageable levels for months are now experiencing major outbreaks.

In at least 24 states, there have been more cases announced in the past week than in any other seven-day stretch since the pandemic began. More than 54,800 people were hospitalized with the virus on Friday, according to the Covid Tracking Project. nytimes.com

Biden calls for masks as some Americans face new restrictions
Mr. Biden has said he will ask governors to institute a mask mandate in their states; if they refuse, he will work with local officials to get mandates in place.

Across the country, governors and local leaders have put new restrictions in place in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus.

In Utah, Governor Gary Herbert, a Republican, has announced a state of emergency, including a mask mandate that would apply statewide. nytimes.com

New Surge in Southern Calif. But Trailing U.S.
L.A. County declares new coronavirus surge, sparking increased alarms
After weeks of rising coronavirus numbers, officials Monday said Los Angeles County was seeing a new surge in infections that could get worse as Thanksgiving approaches.

The new surge is so far less extreme than the disastrous summer spike. But officials fear fatigue after months of restrictions is causing people to let down their guard at a critical moment. “These numbers are demonstrating real and alarming increases, and the next two weeks will be crucial,” county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said.

Week ending last Thursday, California reported nearly 34k cases, about half as many as the state’s worst week, July 17–23, when 66,341 cases were diagnosed.

By comparison, the United States as a whole recorded more than 662,000 cases in the last week — the second consecutive weekly record. latimes.com

"We Can Do Retail"
Minnesota Gov. Responds to COVID Surge
Gov. Tim Walz will respond to the surging COVID-19 pandemic Tuesday with dial back measures that close bars and restaurants at 10 p.m. and restrict the sizes of weddings, funerals and indoor and outdoor gatherings, according to two state officials briefed on the details.

Group gatherings also will be limited to 10 people, indoors and outdoors, from no more than three households.

“It makes sense to us now to target those much more surgically, much more aggressively, than a statewide stay-at-home order,” Walz said, “because at this point in time, we’ve learned we can do retail, we can do education, some of it in person, if we’re able to test, contain and contact trace those folks to get [their infections] isolated.” startribune.com

Social Distancing @Work Reduces Anxiety
COVID-19 safety measures reduce worker anxiety, study finds
Those able to consistently practice social distancing at work have a significantly lower risk of anxiety or depression, according to a study published in Occupational Environmental Medicine Oct. 30. The study investigated COVID-19 infection and exposure rates among grocery employees, as well as their mental health during the pandemic.

Researchers from Harvard, Boston University and other organizations studied 104 employees of a Boston grocery store. Most of those who reported mild anxiety said they were not able to consistently practice social distancing at work, while most of those who weren’t anxious were able to do so. Likewise, those deemed mildly depressed were less likely to consistently practice social distancing at work and more likely to travel to and from work on public transportation or in shared rides. Those able to commute by foot, or bike or using their own car were significantly less likely to report depressive symptoms.

Association between SARS-CoV-2 infection, exposure risk and mental health among a cohort of essential retail workers in the USA.
Employees with direct customer exposure were five times more likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2.
Those able to practice social distancing consistently at work had significantly lower risk of anxiety or depression.

Employers have responded with increased access to mental health benefits, employee assistance programs and flexible scheduling, according to speakers at a virtual conference in August. Large employers were quick to embrace virtual healthcare delivery especially in the area of mental health treatment. Eighty-eight percent of employers in a recent Business Group on Health survey said they had virtual service offerings for mental health. hrdive.com

Keep an Eye on Your Team
20% of COVID-19 patients later develop mental illness, study finds
The most common disorders experienced by COVID-19 survivors within 90 days of their diagnoses are anxiety, depression and insomnia, according to the study published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal.

Eli Lilly’s Antibody Treatment Gets Emergency FDA Approval

Novavax COVID vaccine gets ‘fast track’ status from FDA

A temporary hospital for coronavirus patients in Moscow

"If it's a chain, it's free reign"
Social Media Videos Teach Teens How to Steal

Politically-Motivated Teens Are Sharing Shoplifting Tips on TikTok

Gen Z sharing stealing tips online to punish chain stores and "problematic" businesses

Eighteen-year-old Lucy* started shoplifting around a year ago, when she wanted a necklace that she couldn’t afford. “I just ripped the packaging off and stuck it in my pocket. I hadn’t really planned it out or anything,” she explains.

Lucy’s honesty might come as a shock, but she regularly informs 30,000 people about her stealing habit via @ferretsborrowing, a TikTok account she runs. What started out as a way to share a glittery PowerPoint she made for a friend on how to shoplift is now part of what is known as “Borrowing TikTok”.

The “borrowing” community is made up of anonymous accounts, primarily run by teens with voice changer effects, who bond over their love of five-finger discounts, share hauls and how-to videos. It’s essentially The Bling Ring meets Anonymous.

“I mostly get questions about what’s easiest to borrow, where’s easiest to borrow from, how to avoid cameras and security, taking off security tags,” explains Lucy. “Mostly things beginners want to know so they don’t get arrested.”

This isn’t the first online community of shoplifters. In 2014, a Tumblr user “outed” a relatively smaller group of accounts that were also detailing their hauls and tips.

But according to those involved, Borrowing TikTok is about more than just teaching people how to steal stuff. It’s pointedly rooted in politics.

The borrowing community is mainly US-based – with teens from wealthier countries like the UK and Australia joining in. They exclusively steal from large chain stores, an act they encourage with the community catchphrase: “If it’s a chain, it’s free reign.”

They evaluate a company’s politics when deciding whether to steal from them. If they’re unsure of the answer regarding their favourite shop, they’ll probably find it on the #borrowingtips tag, which has more than 95 million views. “We wanna really make them hurt more than companies that aren’t as problematic,” says Lucy. vice.com

SIA & ASIS Int'l to Hold Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Event for Security Industry
ASIS International and the Security Industry Association (SIA), membership associations for the security industry, have announced a partnership to produce an event designed to help security organizations and businesses around the world develop and implement diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) strategies.

The free virtual event, titled “Global DE&I Strategy: Policy and Practices that Produce Positive Business Outcomes,” will be held Dec. 10, 2020 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Diversity, inclusion and bias are critical topics that have generated important conversations in recent months. SIA and ASIS have joined together to create a learning experience for the security profession to focus on specific and practical resources that enhance the effectiveness of security enterprises. sdmmag.com

Either This or Liquidation
Sale of JC Penney approved by bankruptcy court, giving the retailer a 2nd chance

U.S. Bankruptcy Court approves sale to its 2 largest landlords & primary lenders

Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Group the new owners. The company will exit bankruptcy later this month with more than 600 stores and 60,000 employees. The reorganization also wipes out more than $3 billion in debt. dallasnews.com

9 make-or-break retail turnarounds to watch in 2021
Macy's - Nordstrom - Kohl's - Brooks Brothers - Gap - GameStop - Bed Bath & Beyond - Guitar Center - J Crew

Ulta to Open 100 Target Shop-in-Shops

XTREME ORC DAY - Record Setting Cases Today

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NIST - Taking Measure - Requesting Comments & Input
Developing an Exposure Notification System to Blunt the Spread of COVID-19 and Future Pandemics
I am part of a grassroots effort at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that is developing an exposure notification system for pandemics in general, though we hope it could be used in at least a limited fashion during the current COVID-19 pandemic. We are fortunate at NIST to have all the expertise required to tackle this multidisciplinary problem, solutions to which have the potential to save many lives and hasten economic recovery by helping to reopen our nation.

Contact tracing has been used to blunt the spread of pandemics since the 19th century. In its usual form, health workers conduct interviews with folks who have tested positive for the infectious disease to find out whom they have been in contact with during a certain period before testing. Continue Reading

Contact Tracing 2.0 - Focusing on Accuracy - A Tour de Force in Boulder - Paying Attention to Privacy Concerns - Putting It To the Test

If you have any questions about our blog, please contact us at takingmeasure@nist.gov.

EU's ENISA Releases IoT Supply Chain Guidelines
IoT security is a mess. These guidelines could help fix that
The supply chain around the Internet of Things (IoT) has become the weak link in cybersecurity, potentially leaving organizations open to cyber attacks via vulnerabilities they're not aware of. But a newly released set of guidelines aims to ensure that security forms part of the entire lifespan of IoT product development.

The Guidelines for Securing the IoT – Secure Supply Chain for IoT report from the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) sets out recommendations throughout the entire IoT supply chain to help keep organizations protected from vulnerabilities which can arise when building connected things.

One of the key recommendations is that cybersecurity expertise should be further integrated into all layers of organizations, including engineering, management, marketing and others so anyone involved in any part of the supply chain has the ability to identify potential risks – hopefully spotting and addressing them at an early stage of the product development cycle and preventing them from becoming a major issue.

It's also recommended that 'Security by Design' is adopted at every stage of the IoT development process, focusing on careful planning and risk management to ensure that any potential security issues with devices are caught early. zdnet.com

Holding Your Suppliers Accountable
Tough Pill to Swallow - Shutting Down Your #2 Provider

Apple Puts #2 Key Contractor on Probation Over Student Labor Abuses in China
Apple suspended future business with the iPhone assembler Pegatron pending corrective actions. The Taiwanese manufacturer broke rules limiting student employee work hours.

For years, Apple has worked, and at times struggled, to uphold labor standards across its vast electronics supply chain in China. The company said it had made the decision because the Taiwanese company, Pegatron, had violated its code of conduct by allowing student laborers to work night shifts and overtime and do work unrelated to their fields of study, and had then falsified documents to cover it up.

“The individuals at Pegatron responsible for the violations went to extraordinary lengths to evade our oversight mechanisms,” Apple said in a statement.

To meet grueling deadlines, factories in China sometimes recruit labor from local technical schools. Strict guidelines are supposed to limit how long and when such employees can work, but in practice, rules are often ignored and other abuses are common.

Apple said it would not give the contractor any new business until it took corrective measures, and noted that a Pegatron executive in charge of the student employment program had already been fired.

In its 2019 supplier responsibility report, the company said it had removed 20 manufacturing facilities from its supply chain because of violations over the years. In general, however, it said it works with suppliers for 90 days to ensure corrective actions are taken. wsj.com

Ransomware Group Turns to Facebook Ads to Pressure Victims Payment

What’s stopping job seekers from considering a career in cybersecurity?

Snap Map:
A Quick Way to View Snapchat Posts Via the Web

Snap Map is a location sharing feature of Snapchat that lets you view “snaps” from all over the world without logging in or downloading the mobile app. When a user enables their location and submits a post to Snap Chat’s ‘Our Story’, it is displayed with geographical location on the Snap Map. This is a quick and easy way for Loss Prevention professionals to see what is happening at specific locations, monitor high engagement, and identify potential threats.

To view Snap Maps via the web, visit https://map.snapchat.com/.

Insider Trading By a Relative
Relative of Amazon finance employee pleads guilty to insider trading

Seattle - A 36-year-old Bothell, Washington man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to securities fraud for his insider trading activity. VIKY BOHRA admits that between 2015 and 2018, he used Amazon inside information he obtained from his relative to place trades in Amazon stock–making a profit of $1,428,264. BOHRA is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge James L. Robart on February 8, 2021.

According to the plea agreement, BORHA’s relative worked in the Amazon Finance Department and had access to confidential information regarding Amazon revenue and expenses. Because of that work, the relative was subject to blackout periods during which no stock could be traded by the employee or her immediate relatives.

As part of the plea agreement, BOHRA’s relative will not face criminal charges. The relative is no longer employed at Amazon. BOHRA agrees to forfeit the proceeds of his trades, $1,428,264 to the United States.

Securities Fraud is punishable by up to 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Under the terms of the plea agreement prosecutors will recommend a sentence of no more than 33 months in prison. justice.gov

Owning & Seeing Everybody's Data
The EU just slapped Amazon with antitrust charges over its use of seller data

The fact that Amazon is both a retailer and a retail platform for competitors has increasingly put it under the lens of government watchdogs across the world.

The European Commission has filed antitrust charges against Amazon for “distorting competition in online retail markets.” Specifically, the EC says Amazon is unfairly relying on third-party seller data of those who sell in its online Marketplace to better inform the company’s own retail strategies. Use of such data unfairly benefits Amazon, the EC says, which at the same time hosts one of the largest third-party platforms for sellers, while also competing against them on a number of fronts, including selling identical products or selling its own Amazon-branded competing products.

Use of such data unfairly benefits Amazon, the EC says, because Amazon competes with those products while at the same time hosting one of the largest third-party platforms for sellers. fastcompany.com

Editor's Note: With the administration transition and Congressional lame duck session, Amazon gets a pass - until when? Who knows.

COVID To Drive $40B Extra in Holiday Sales Online
That's Taking it Away from the Stores

Online holiday sales to surge 43% in 2020, DC360 projects
In a momentous period that will likely build on massive gains made in ecommerce this year, more than a quarter of seasonal spending will occur on the web - advancing online penetration to a level that wouldn't have been reached for another four years. COVID-19-related shifts in buying behavior will contribute to nearly $40 billion in extra digital holiday revenue for November-December.

Editor's Note: How that translates into Q1 2021 won't be pretty.

China's Big Online Sales Day
China's Singles' Day Nov. 11 Expects to Better LY's $59.34B in GMV Sales

U.S. Law Enforcement Assists Brazilian Law Enforcement Takedown of Numerous Digital Piracy Sites & Apps that Caused Millions of Dollars in Losses to U.S. Media Companies
Three U.S.-Based Websites Allegedly Offered Thousands of Pirated Television Shows and Movies Owned by U.S. Rights Holders to Brazilian Audiences

Insider Threat & From Russia With Love
1st U.S. Bitcoin Case With Tax Component

Former Microsoft software engineer gets 9 years prison - stole $10M+ digital value - gift cards

Used accounts & passwords of other employees – sold online to pay for exotic car, waterfront home

Seattle – A former Microsoft software engineer was sentenced to nine years in prison for 18 federal felonies related to his scheme to defraud Microsoft of more than $10M.

VOLODYMYR KVASHUK, 26, a Ukrainian citizen residing in Renton, Washington, worked first as a contractor at Microsoft and then as an employee from August 2016 until he was fired in June 2018. In February 2020, KVASHUK was convicted by a jury of five counts of wire fraud, six counts of money laundering, two counts of aggravated identity theft, two counts of filing false tax returns, and one count each of mail fraud, access device fraud, and access to a protected computer in furtherance of fraud.

KVASHUK was involved in the testing of Microsoft’s online retail sales platform and used that testing access to steal “currency stored value” (CSV) such as digital gift cards. KVASHUK resold the value on the internet, using the proceeds to purchase a $1.6 million dollar lakefront home and a $160,000 Tesla vehicle. Initially, KVASHUK stole smaller amounts totaling about $12,000 in value using his own account access. As the thefts escalated into millions of dollars of value, KVASHUK used test email accounts associated with other employees.

In all, over the seven months of KVASHUK’s illegal activity, approximately $2.8 million in bitcoin were transferred to his bank and investment accounts. KVASHUK then filed fake tax return forms, claiming the bitcoin had been a gift from a relative.

The trial marked a big win for IRS-CI and the federal cybercrimes team. As it was the nation’s first Bitcoin case that has a tax component to it.

KVASHUK was ordered to pay $8,344,586 in restitution. He may be deported following his prison term. justice.gov

Tampa Gift Card King Sentenced To Prison for $10M in 2nd Hand Gift Cards
Stephen H. McIntyre (51, Tampa) to five years and three months in federal prison for conspiring to commit money laundering. The court also ordered McIntyre to forfeit more than $690,000, a 2014 Cadillac Escalade, and other funds that are traceable to the proceeds of the money laundering conspiracy.

From March 2014 through February 2019, McIntyre operated SHM Gulf Enterprises, LLC, doing business as Tampa Gift Card King (“GCK”). Located in Tampa, GCK was a secondhand dealer where individuals sold their unused, or partially used, returned merchandise cards and retail gift cards, some of which were procured via theft or fraud, for a percentage of the cards’ face value in exchange for cash. Thereafter, McIntyre and his co-conspirators resold the returned merchandise cards and gift cards even though they knew some of the cards had been obtained via theft or fraud. McIntyre and his co-conspirators also conducted other illicit transactions involving the cards and used the proceeds for their personal enrichment.

McIntyre and his co-conspirators resold most of the merchandise and gift cards via online commercial platforms, direct internet sales, and other means. McIntyre generated more than $10 million in proceeds from the resales of the cards to unwitting third-party purchasers via online commercial platforms including Raise.com and CardCash.

McIntyre and co-conspirator Brandy Fuller later used the card numbers and PINs of some of the previously sold cards in order to identify residual balances on the cards. They then stole the residual balances, aggregated them, and used the proceeds to purchase new gift cards.

McIntyre and his co-conspirators used the proceeds of this fraud scheme to purchase and renovate real properties, acquire vehicles, finance business operations, and otherwise for their personal enrichment.

Fuller previously pleaded guilty to her role in this case. She was sentenced to 36 months’ probation and was ordered to pay $25,925 in restitution. justice.gov

Verizon & Apple Global Security Teams Led the Case
Fraudsters Living the High Life Off Verizon & Apple

Miami Couple Charged in $3.3M Scheme to Defraud Verizon Wireless
According to the Indictment and information presented to the court, Johnson, Debrosse, and others conspired to defraud Verizon Wireless by fraudulently obtaining new, in-box cellular devices and reselling them on the illicit market. Through various means, Johnson was able to compromise existing Verizon accounts and charge the various devices to them. Johnson also created fraudulent accounts and charged devices to those as well. Afterwards, Johnson, Debrosse, and other others would retrieve the purloined devices from various Apple Stores and other third-party vendors, located throughout the United States. Johnson, Debrosse, and others would then resell them.

The two-count Indictment, returned on September 23, 2020, named Samuel T. Johnson, 31, and Daphne Debrosse, 30, as defendants.

According to information presented in court, the conspiracy illegally obtained approximately 2,941 devices worth approximately $3,398,394.21. The devices were purchased in the names of various aliases. When law enforcement executed a search warrant at the apartment Johnson and Debrosse shared, they recovered currency totaling $619,184.00, which was seized. Law enforcement also initiated forfeiture proceedings against a 2019 Lamborghini Urus that Johnson had purchased on the grounds that it had been bought with illegal proceeds.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $6,796,788.00 or both.

The Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of Verizon Global Corporate Security Solutions and Apple Global Security Loss Prevention, conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. justice.com

Trio accused of Walmart2Walmart money transfer $400k fraud scheme in Youngstown and Akron, OH areas
Federal grand jury sitting in Cleveland has returned a 20-count indictment charging John Lee Watkins, age 31, of Stow; Valerie Marie Masongsong, age 29, of Henderson, Nevada and Terrell Tomlin, age 32, of Ogden, Utah with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

The defendants are alleged to have used either their real name of a false identity to initiate a Walmart2Walmart transfer using a bank card to another co-defendant, co-conspirator, or fictitious person. The person initiating the transfer would then contact his or her bank stating that the transfer was fraudulent and seek a refund for the transfer. The defendant or co-conspirators would then collect the transfer at the second Walmart location and withdraw the money from their bank account before the bank could complete an investigation into the fraudulent activity and reverse the charges, states the indictment.

The defendants executed their scheme using Walmart locations in Youngstown, Poland, Austintown, Stow, Streetsboro, Kent, Canton and elsewhere outside of the Northern District of Ohio. A total loss of more than $400,000 was incurred as a result of the alleged scheme. justice.gov

West Virginia Woman Pleads Guilty $95K Coupon Fraud Scheme Targeting Kmart Stores in 25 States
Tanya Thompson a/k/a Tanya Wetzel, 38, pleaded guilty to one count in Federal court today. Between June 2017 and December 2017, Thompson possessed and used fraudulent mobile device coupons at numerous Kmart stores in approximately 25 states. Thompson used the fraudulent coupons to purchase third party gift cards and prepaid credit cards. The total loss to Kmart was approximately $94,977.50.

Scheduled sentencing for April 14, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. justice.gov

Theft Ring Leader - Hit 4 Gun Stores
Jacksonville Man Sentenced To More Than Five Years
In Connection With Firearms Theft Conspiracy
Jamarius Tillie (28, Jacksonville) to five years and eight months in federal prison for aiding and abetting the theft of firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers and conspiring to steal firearms from such dealers.

From about June 2017 through on or about August 2017, members of Tillie’s theft ring stole more than 10 firearms from at least 4 licensed firearms dealers in Jacksonville. While Tillie and others distracted the sales staff in these stores, another member of the ring would sneak behind counters and steal firearms. Tillie kept some guns for himself, but sold the majority of them to a local drug dealer. In exchange for assisting Tillie, members of the theft ring were sometimes paid with crack cocaine. justice.gov

Gun-Smuggling Family
Father, Son, And Daughter Sentenced To Prison
In Firearms Straw Purchasing Scheme
Fort Myers, FL., Jesus Robin Suarez (48, Naples), Kevin Robin Suarez (25, Naples), and Andrea Joselin Suarez (28, Naples) to federal prison for their roles in a firearms straw purchasing conspiracy. Jesus Suarez was sentenced to six years and six months in prison. His son, Kevin Suarez, was sentenced to three years and one month imprisonment. Jesus Suarez’s daughter, Andrea Suarez, was sentenced to four years and three months’ in federal prison. All three had pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiring to falsify records relating to firearms purchases.

Jesus Suarez directed his adult children to recruit their friends and acquaintances to make straw purchases of AK-47 rifles from Naples and Fort Myers-area licensed gun stores. In exchange for cash from the Suarez family, the straw purchasers fraudulently certified to the gun stores that they were buying the firearms for themselves, when in truth they were actually buying the guns for Jesus Suarez and his children. According to evidence presented at the sentencing hearings, these straw-purchased firearms were thereafter unlawfully exported by Jesus Suarez to his native Bolivia. justice.gov

Lady Lake, FL: Two men nabbed in attempt to steal more than $7,000 worth of purses at Belk in The Villages
A loss prevention officer spotted 22-year-old Javontae Holton and 26-year-old Tarques Williams, at about 3 p.m. Sunday in the designer handbag section of the La Plaza Grande store, according to an arrest report from the Lady Lake Police Department. They selected numerous handbags and put them into shopping carts and then concealed them in Belk shopping bags. Police arrived on the scene and Holton and Williams began running from the store, dropping the bags they had been carrying. They were captured near the parking lot of Wendy’s restaurant on Bichara Boulevard. The handbags had a total combined value of $7,565. villages-news.com

Kennewick, GA: Repeat Hoverboard Thief Floats Out of Walmart with Multiple Boards
Kennewick Police are seeking to ID and locate this woman, accused of strolling out of the Kennewick Walmart with three hoverboards she didn't pay for. Authorities say this isn't the first time she's been captured shoplifting. Police say on a previous occasion she was also seen leaving with 'multiple' items. Given that multiple means at least two, and she has three in this cart, that's 5. A quick search shows these units are priced as low as $109.00 ( at least on Walmart.com) so she's likely facing a felony charge because the value is over $500. newstalk870.am

Wichita Falls, TX: Indictments: Theft ring of six operated in Wichita Falls
Police have zeroed in on a theft ring of six people working together to steal computers, electronics, groceries, hygiene items, sporting goods and more this year, according to court records. Davon Ramon Blue, Keelan Michael Carter and Ethan Cole Ashley have been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity-theft in connection with a theft ring suspected of stealing about $5,000 of merchandise from a local Walmart, according to court records. timesrecordnews.com

Bethel Park, PA: Man, Woman Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Over $2,500 In Merchandise From Dick’s Warehouse
Police arrested two people accused of stealing over $2,500 worth of merchandise from the Dick’s Warehouse at Village Square. Bethel Park police say 23-year-old Alaya Porter and 25-year-old Brandon Wheeler were arrested for the alleged theft. Police say they were apprehended with the help of the Castle Shannon and Pittsburgh police departments. According to police, Porter and Wheeler have several retail theft convictions. Porter also had two active warrants from local departments, Bethel Park police say. The two were taken to the Allegheny County Jail, charged with felony retail theft and criminal conspiracy. cbslocal.com

Hermitage, PA: Police arrest Baby Formula thieves
On Oct. 28, a deputy was flagged down for a possible shoplift at a grocery store. Employees reported people inside the store filling up bags with baby formula. Deputies contacted the person with the bags inside the store and prevented the theft. Deputies further contacted a car idling outside the store with no license plates that was determined to be associated with the suspect in the store. Deputies located the license plate for the vehicle, interviewed the suspects, and took photos for dissemination to other law enforcement agencies. nwnews.com

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Shootings & Deaths

Blue Springs, MO: 3 people in custody following deadly shooting at McDonald's
UPDATE: The victim was identified as 19-year-old Harry Bowers of Lee's Summit. Three people are in custody in relation to the shooting. One person died in a shooting Monday night at a McDonald's restaurant in Blue Springs, police said. Around 7:15 p.m., officers responded to a call of shots fired at the fast-food restaurant at Missouri 7 and Northwest Mock Avenue. Police Chief Bob Muenz said officers found the victim in a bathroom. He was transported to an area hospital, where he died. No one was taken into custody. Officers recovered a weapon at the scene, but it was not clear if it belonged to the suspect, Muenz said. The shooting is believed to be an isolated incident, Muenz said. kshb.com

Dallas, TX: Two men dead in 7-Eleven robbery and shooting
A killer is on the run in Dallas where two men died in a late night convenience store robbery. The robbery was just after midnight at the 7-Eleven on Forest Lane and Marsh. Suddenly, there was gunfire and two men fell wounded. The Dallas County Medical Examiner's office confirms they died but they're not ready to release any names until they can let the families know first. radio.com

Waterbury, CT: One killed, one wounded in C-Store Shooting
Police are investigating the killing of a 45-year-old man who was shot to death late Sunday inside a convenience store in a troubled neighborhood. Police say the man was shot in the abdomen following an argument inside the store at 173 Willow St., which is known as the “green store.” Police found a man lying on the store’s floor at about 11 p.m. after the people involved in the argument had fled. He was unconscious, but breathing and was rushed to Waterbury Hospital. He was a pronounced dead early Monday morning. Police suspect that a second man, a 33-year-old, was found nearby on Ridgewood Street and was also shot in his abdomen and right arm, but is expected to survive his injuries. rep-am.com

Albuquerque, NM: Albuquerque Police are investigating after a loss prevention officer was shot while attempting to apprehend a shoplifter on Monday
Police say the incident happened at the Dillard’s in Cottonwood Mall. Authorities say the loss prevention officer was taken to the hospital with a “non-critical wound” and is in stable condition. The man is expected to be okay. No word on if the suspect is in custody. krqe.com

Robberies, Incidents & Thefts

Stafford, VA: Mysterious woman thwarts McDonald’s robbery
A woman stopped a man from walking out of a McDonald’s with an undisclosed amount of cash on Saturday, November 7. Dean Bell was had just ordered a fries and a Coke and was standing at the counter waiting to get his food when he saw a man walked up to the register and stick his hand in the till. “The person at the register kept telling the man, “if you don’t take your hand out of there, I’m going to break it,” said Bell, who pulled out his phone to record video of the incident. A woman wearing a Goodwill t-shirt similar to those worn by Goodwill store employees walked up and confronted the man after while his hand was still in the till. The woman tried to stop the man was leaving after the manager had called 911 for law enforcement. A Goodwill store is right around the corner from the restaurant. We’re trying to learn the identity of the woman. The man eventually fled the scene empty-handed. Bell said he and the bystander spoke with authorities when they arrived. A representative from the Fredericksburg Area Goodwill stores today was unable to confirm the woman’s identity in the photo. potomaclocal.com

Creve Coeur, MO: Man gets 9+ years in prison for $183,000 jewelry store robbery
A St. Louis-area man who shot himself while helping to rob a Creve Coeur jewelry store of more than $183,000 in merchandise was sentenced Monday to nine years and four months in prison. Michael Anderson Gladney, 44, pleaded guilty in January to armed robbery and a gun charge and admitted being one of four men who robbed Vincent’s Jewelers at 11733 Olive Boulevard on March 19. One had a pipe, and Gladney and two others had guns. The robbers ordered workers to the rear of the store and then smashed display cases to get the watches and jewelry. One man fired an assault rifle into the cases, prosecutors said. When Gladney jumped a display case to leave, he accidentally shot himself in the hand, prosecutors said. The robbers fled in a stolen pickup truck. Investigators later traced DNA from the blood Gladney left behind. stltoday.com

Counterfeit

Texas: $9M worth of counterfeit goods found at Dallas-Fort Worth Port of Entry
Ahead of the holiday shopping season Border Patrol agents at the Dallas-Fort Worth Port of Entry say they discovered more than $9 million dollars worth of counterfeit merchandise. The items allegedly come from China and were heading to McKinney. “Criminal organizations are well aware that consumers will be shopping online for the best deals this holiday season,” said Timothy M. Lemaux, Port Director, Area Port of Dallas. “Our officers will take every opportunity to protect the American consumer and we caution those consumers that if an online deal seems too good to be true, then it probably is.” The counterfeit items were in boxes labeled ladies sweaters and ladies sweatpants. Inside the boxes agents found poorly packaged footwear, handbags and more with designer labels, such as Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Adida’s Yeezy designer footwear line. news4sanantonio.com

Minnesota: U.S. Border Protection officers seize $41K in counterfeit cellphone accessories in Minneapolis

● Beauty – Miami, FL – Robbery
● C-Store – Waterbury, CT – Armed Robbery
● Dollar General – Lexington, NC – Armed Robbery
● Dollar General – Jackson, MS – Armed Robbery
● Gas Station – Galesburg, IL – Armed Robbery
● Gas Station – Chicago, IL – Burglary
● Gas Station - Guernsey County, OH – Burglary
● Gas Station – Madison, WE – Burglary
● Jewelry – Ardsley, NY – Burglary
● Jewelry – Louisville, KY – Robbery
● Jewelry – Niskayuna, NY - Robbery
● Jewelry – Lincolnwood, IL – Burglary
● Restaurant – Cromwell, CT – Robbery
● Restaurant – Scranton, PA – Armed Robbery
● Restaurant – Stafford, VA - Robbery (McDonald’s)
● Target - Evanston, IL – Robbery
● Walmart – Georgetown, SC – Armed Robbery
● 7-Eleven – Las Vegas NV – Armed Robbery
● 7-Eleven – Dallas, TX – Armed Robbery / 2 killed

Daily Totals:
• 14 robberies
• 5 burglaries
• 1 shooting
• 2 killed

Click to enlarge map

Lori Bonacci promoted to Manager, Investigations / Loss Prevention for Ardene

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Interesting how the social dynamics of a small industry mirror, somewhat, the same social dynamics of a family, with the holidays and conferences almost being one in the same, where we're excited to visit with old friends and colleagues, yet cautious about the battle lines business and careers at times necessitate or cause. At the end of the day, it's all about doing what's right for the industry, adding value, helping people, and continuing to help evolve the industry. And while each executive has their individual agendas, it's important to remember that we are all part of one industry and we all share one goal - to guide, nurture, and evolve it.

Just a Thought,
Gus

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