Toys R Us Organized Retail Crime efforts have been paying off In the fall of 2010, Toys R Us Investigations Team began tracking members of a South American Organized Retail Crime group, based out of Queens, New York suspected of stealing from several retailers. Over the next year, this group targeted TRU locations throughout the East Coast. The group was believed to be responsible for several thousand dollars of theft of children’s Educational Electronics hardware and software. Through coordination with law enforcement and other partner retailers TRU Investigations Team was able to identify multiple boosters groups and real time surveillance was initiated. Surveillance by TRU investigations teams yielded a number of arrests at TRU stores. Simultaneously, law enforcement had been tracking known vehicles used by these groups and police were able to identify other suspects involved. Over the course of 12 months, 8 total arrests were made for a case value of $143,000. Police were also able to take hardened criminals off the streets wanted for attempted murder, hit and run, eluding police, burglary and felony retail theft. This investigation demonstrates what can be accomplished by analyzing real time data (intelligence), cultivating retail loss prevention partnerships and communicating with law enforcement partners. Job well done by the Toys R Us ORC team led by Mark Shoemaker, National Director - Investigations.

5 charged in Walmart ORC ring in Utica, New York Five Utica residents have been charged after allegedly working together to shoplift more than $500 worth of merchandise from area Walmart stores Nov. 29. Robert I. Newton Jr., 44, of Park Avenue in Utica, William E. Devore Jr., 55, of Eagle Street in Utica, Christian L. Rex, 37, of Park Avenue in Utica, Donald Holmes, 48, of Lincoln Avenue in Utica and Robert L. Bell, 52, of Oswego Street in Utica, were charged with petty larceny and sixth-degree conspiracy for acting in consort in stealing the merchandise. Oneida City Police say more than $500 in merchandise was recovered after it was stolen from the Walmart in Oneida and additional merchandise was recovered that had been stolen from other area Walmart stores. The stolen items included various meat products, energy drinks, paper towels, pet food and other merchandise. (Source oneidadispatch.com)