Organized Retail Crime is increasing in the Washington DC area according to Lt. Tony Matos, who leads the Fairfax County anti-retail theft unit. "Store-security experts say organized retail crime -- like the recent Tysons cases -- is becoming increasingly common, especially in metropolitan centers like the Washington region, and is concerning because thieves can make off quickly with large amounts of goods. These are groups of individuals who come across the eastern seaboard," said Lt. Tony Matos, who leads a Fairfax County anti-retail theft unit. Such cases are becoming more common at Tysons, he said, because it's known as an affluent area. Organized rings target the Interstate 95 corridor because it's easy to steal goods, then sell or fraudulently return them in another area, said Barbara Staib, spokeswoman for the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention. (Source washingtonexaminer.com)