Nationwide ORCA Collaboration
'First-of-its-Kind' National ORC Blitz Event

From David Williams - Executive Director, Cook County State’s Attorney Regional Organized Crime Task Force (CCROC)

I would like to invite all ORCA’s, Retail Crime Coalitions, and Law Enforcement organizations, to be a part of a first of its kind, National ORC Blitz event. Over the years, many of our groups have organized and/or participated in these ORC/retail crime suppression operations, bringing Law Enforcement and the private sector together to battle retail & financial crimes. In planning this event, we would like to strategize and coordinate with ORCA’s and Law Enforcement jurisdictions from around the country. Not only will this be a great opportunity to proactively enforce the law and build intelligence, but hopefully this event will help bring visibility to the problem and provide an additional deterrence for these types of crimes.

Logistically, each jurisdiction would plan and execute their own operation locally, but we would all execute our ORC Blitz events on the same day, share basic results & relevant intelligence and then we would work together to publicize the successes of the operation. Showing national coordination between the private sector and Law Enforcement to fight fraud and battle retail crime will benefit us all. For the event, private sector partners would bring their professional teams to enhance surveillance of their respective businesses and be in communication and coordinate with law enforcement to identify and investigate crimes in real time. Once offenders are apprehended, any intelligence gained could then be used to immediately roll into further investigations.

The National ORC Blitz operation is set to take place on a TBD date in May 2025, but we would like to begin planning with all participating partners starting with a kickoff call on March 19, 2025, at 11:00am CST. If your ORCA, coalition, agency is interested in participating in this event or if you have any questions, please contact the CCROC board at inquiry@ccroc.org for the next steps. Thank you for your time and support. We look forward to working with you to make this event a success and hope it grows into an annual tradition!

Read the letter here


The Great Debate Over Retail Theft Prevention
How much of this “madness” is real, and how much is political theater?

Retail Theft Requires Actual Solutions Not More Fearmongering
Retail theft continues to be a political flashpoint in San Francisco, with politicians and law enforcement officials quick to cite it as a continuing crisis. Supervisor Rafael Mandelman’s recent post, amplified by District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, is yet another example of this reactionary narrative.

Mandelman declares that retail theft is “hurting businesses and the residents who rely on them,” thanking law enforcement for “efforts to stop the madness.” The rhetoric is stark, designed to stoke public fears and justify harsher criminal justice policies. But how much of this “madness” is real, and how much is political theater?

There is no question that shoplifting and organized retail theft exist. Businesses, especially large chains like Walgreens, have been vocal about theft impacting their bottom line. But media and political narratives have exaggerated the problem, often ignoring key context.

Meanwhile, the most recent data from the California Department of Justice does not show an unprecedented crime wave. While property crime did increase slightly in the wake of the pandemic, it remains far below historic highs of the 1990s and early 2000s.

The rise of viral videos depicting brazen shoplifting incidents has undoubtedly fueled public perception, but anecdotal evidence and a handful of high-profile cases do not constitute a crisis. Crime trends must be analyzed through data, not sensationalized social media posts.

Mandelman and Jenkins’ rhetoric also raises concerns about the potential rollback of progressive criminal justice reforms in response to these claims. Their post references one of the first cases prosecuted under a post-Proposition 36 framework, subtly reinforcing the idea that past reforms were a mistake.

Proposition 36, passed in 2024, rolled back key provisions of Proposition 47, increasing penalties for retail theft and making it easier to charge repeat shoplifters with felonies. Supporters framed it as a necessary response to rising theft, but critics argue it revives the failed punitive policies of the past—policies that disproportionately harm marginalized communities without effectively deterring crime. davisvanguard.org


Retailers Nationwide Continue to Face Surging Gift Card Fraud
Chinese Nationals Charged in Gift Card Scam Targeting Metro Detroit Stores
Two individuals accused of orchestrating an elaborate gift card scam have been charged in Michigan, following an investigation that led to their arrest at a hotel in Dearborn. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced yesterday that Guangji Zhang, 46, and Huachao Sun, 35, both Chinese nationals, are facing serious charges including one count each of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise and two counts each of Possession of a Fraudulent or Altered Transaction Device. The charges follow an operation targeting Metro Detroit Meijer stores, where thousands of tampered gift cards were purportedly seized.

The scam allegedly began with the theft of unsold, empty gift cards from various retail stores. These cards were manipulated to reveal and record their unique redemption numbers before being covered with an adhesive to make them appear unaltered. The accused individuals are then believed to have returned these compromised gift cards to their retail locations, employing computer programs to monitor and transfer any activated balance onto other digital accounts. This process would effectively drain the gift card before it could be legitimately used by an unsuspecting buyer, an example of fraud designed to both deceive and profit off ordinary people going about their everyday lives.

According to a press release from the Michigan Attorney General's Office, a special agent from the United States Postal Inspection Service initially flagged a package as suspicious, ultimately leading to the retrieval of more than 1,500 gift cards. These cards were addressed to Zhang and Sun at their Dearborn hotel location. Surveillance operations further linked the defendants to multiple Meijer stores where they allegedly redistributed the altered gift cards into the stores' inventory.

In response to these allegations, Attorney General Nessel cautioned the public, stating, as per the Michigan Attorney General's Office, “Sophisticated fraud schemes undermine consumer trust and can cause significant financial harm, and I am proud of my FORCE Team for their efforts to shut down these operations and hold bad actors accountable.” Nessel's FORCE Team, Focused Organized Retail Crime Enforcement, partnered with several federal and local agencies, and corporate retailers, to swiftly put a temporary end to at least one such operation. hoodline.com


Coming Tomorrow: SDORCA Membership Meeting
SDORCA General Membership meeting 2025 -- Tomorrow!

Please join us for our next SDORCA Membership Meeting of 2025. The meeting will take place from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, on Wednesday, March 19th. Please go to the website: SDORCA.ORG to register. This meeting will be in-person only. Space is limited to the first 75 participants who register and attend. |

As always, this will also be a great opportunity to network with Law Enforcement and Retail Investigators in the area.

• If your organization would like to host a meeting, of if you know of any venue that would benefit from hosting a meeting, please reach out to the SDORCA Board.

• If you have partners who are not yet members but could benefit form attending the meetings, please pass along meeting information or bring them along!

• SDORCA is accepting snack/refreshment sponsors for all future meetings, so please reach out to the Board if your company can assist.

Please contact Chris Arbeene or Mike Martinez if you want to sponsor refreshments for this/and other upcoming meetings.

Learn more here


Progress in LA's Battle Against Crime
LAPD's 2024 end-of-year crime report shows decrease in homicides, violent crimes
The Los Angeles Police Department's newly released 2024 end-of-year crime report showed that homicides and person crime have decreased across the city, officials announced Monday.

McDonnell who was sworn in as chief in November 2024, highlighted the 14% decrease in homicides and 19% decrease in shooting victims a significant stride to reduce crime. He credited the improvements to targeted enforcement and strategic policing.

The Valley Bureau of the LAPD had the most significant decrease of 28% in homicides in 2024. In 2023, the LAPD released its first end-of-the-year crime report in nine years. The department reported LA has a 3% decrease in violent crime in every category and a 17% decrease in homicides.

Aside from the decrease in homicides, the city saw an overall drop in violent crimes which include homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. Robberies remained flat with 8,637 in 2024 and 8,696 in 2023. Citywide property crimes which include burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft from motor vehicles and theft were down by 7,259 from 2023.

Bass said as mayor, public safety is her top priority, and the city will continue to take "bold steps" to keep crime down. cbsnews.com


Grocery Store Mass Shooting Case Update
Death penalty decision was 'arbitrary' says attorneys for Buffalo mass shooting gunman
Attorneys for the Tops mass shooter, Payton Gendron, are working to spare him from the death penalty in the federal case against him. In new court documents obtained by the 7 News I-Team, Gendron's attorneys argue "The government's decision to seek the death penalty against Payton Gendron is arbitrary."

Attorneys say Gendron, who shot and killed ten black people on May 14, 2022, was treated differently by the federal government than other defendants who have faced the death penalty for similar charges.

"The government’s decision to seek the death penalty against [Gendron] has an unjustifiable basis," his attorneys write. "The Attorney General authorized a capital prosecution against Payton Gendron even as the Department of Justice withdrew previously filed notices of the government’s intent to seek the death penalty against similarly situated Black and Hispanic defendants..." wkbw.com


In Case You Missed It: Convenience retail crime
 

Data Breaches: The Retail Impact
The Multi-Layered Impact of Data Breaches on Retailers

By the D&D Daily staff

In an era where digital transactions dominate, retailers are prime targets for cybercriminals. Data breaches have become a growing threat, costing businesses millions in damages. When a retailer falls victim to a breach, the consequences extend far beyond immediate financial losses. From reputation damage to legal penalties and operational disruptions, the fallout from a cyberattack can be devastating.

Financial Consequences

One of the most immediate and tangible effects of a data breach is financial loss. Retailers may face direct costs such as regulatory fines, legal fees, and settlements with affected customers. Additionally, they must invest in cybersecurity improvements, forensic investigations, and customer protection measures like credit monitoring. According to IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average global cost of a breach was $4.45 million. For retailers operating on tight margins, such expenses can be catastrophic.

Erosion of Customer Trust

Trust is a critical component of a retailer’s relationship with its customers. When consumers entrust their payment details and personal information to a retailer, they expect it to be protected. A breach shatters that trust, often leading to customer churn. Studies have shown that many consumers stop shopping at a retailer that has suffered a data breach, fearing their information is not secure. Restoring public confidence requires extensive damage control, which may not always be successful.

Regulatory and Legal Repercussions

Retailers are subject to stringent data protection laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the U.S. A data breach can lead to regulatory investigations, hefty fines, and lawsuits from affected customers. In some cases, non-compliance with data protection laws can result in long-term restrictions on how retailers handle customer data, further complicating operations.

Operational Disruptions

A breach can cripple a retailer’s operations. If systems are compromised, companies may be forced to shut down online stores, disable payment processing, or temporarily close physical locations. Recovery efforts, including identifying vulnerabilities, patching security gaps, and restoring compromised data, can take weeks or even months. The disruption not only impacts revenue but also diverts internal resources away from business growth.

Competitive Disadvantage

Retailers operate in a highly competitive industry where customer experience is paramount. A data breach can push consumers to rival brands that offer a greater sense of security. Additionally, competitors may capitalize on a retailer’s security failure by emphasizing their own cybersecurity measures in marketing campaigns.

Conclusion

Retailers cannot afford to take cybersecurity lightly. The effects of a data breach extend beyond financial loss, damaging trust, legal standing, and business continuity. Investing in robust security measures, employee training, and proactive risk management is essential to safeguarding both customer data and a retailer’s long-term success.


Metadata is Often Overlooked
How to secure your personal metadata from online trackers
When it comes to safeguarding your privacy online, most people focus on securing passwords, encrypting communications, and clearing browsing history. While these practices are essential, they overlook one important element—metadata. This data, which is collected about your digital interactions, can often reveal more about you than you think.

Metadata is an invaluable resource for online trackers, advertisers, cybercriminals, and even government surveillance. Understanding how metadata is collected and what you can do to protect it is critical for preserving your personal privacy.

The risks of metadata exposure

While we often take measures to protect sensitive information, metadata can reveal just as much about our lives. Here’s an overview of who might benefit from your metadata:

• Online trackers and advertisers: These entities track your online behavior to build a profile, often for targeted advertising. They use metadata to make predictions about your habits and preferences.

• Cybercriminals: Malicious actors use metadata to craft more convincing phishing attacks or to find weaknesses in your personal security.

• Government surveillance: Governments may track metadata for national security purposes, often without your knowledge or consent.

Understanding where and how metadata is being collected is the first step in protecting yourself.

How to reduce metadata exposure

While it may seem impossible to completely shield yourself from metadata tracking, taking a few deliberate steps can reduce your online footprint. By disabling unnecessary tracking, sanitizing personal files, and using privacy-focused tools and services, you can better protect your personal metadata from being exploited by online trackers, advertisers, and malicious actors. helpnetsecurity.com


Google parent Alphabet nearing $30 billion acquisition of cybersecurity firm Wiz
Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire Wiz, a cybersecurity startup, for an estimated $30 billion. This information comes from a report in the Wall Street Journal, citing sources knowledgeable about the situation.

Supply chain attack against GitHub Action triggers massive exposure of secrets

Black Basta uses brute-forcing tool to attack edge devices

Eugene, OR: Police departments seek more support to break up organized retail theft rings
It comes with a more than $100 billion price tag for businesses nationally, but organized retail theft is being thwarted in Lane County thanks to grant funding, according to local police. Still, those police departments say more is needed to keep those crime rates down. Over the last year, Springfield Police Department's targeted retail theft missions have brought in 295 shoplifters and another six through joint missions with the Lane County Sheriff's Office, the department said. "The definition of that organized piece of it, where it wasn't just somebody going into a store and shoplifting. It was theft for gains for criminal activity," SPD Lieutenant Justin Myers said. From grocery items to clothing, police say most items are fair game for resellers. "Both local and major retailers are being targeted by groups that are coming in to steal specific items for resale," Eugene Police Department Captain Jacob Burke, said.  kpic.com


Lynnwood, WA: Update: Shots fired, sneakers stolen at Alderwood Mall
A nine-time felon is accused of shooting his way into a Western Washington shopping mall to steal sneakers. The Oregon man allegedly fired shots into a shop entrance at Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood in January, making off with three pairs of collectible sneakers from Sneak City worth about $20,000, according to the Everett Herald. He’s also suspected of burglaries at Lucky Dog, a sneaker store in Seattle, and South Hill Mall in Puyallup. In the latter case, more than $45,000 in jewelry was stolen. Police have found some of the stolen items for sale online and in resale shops. Detectives identified him using security footage and pawn records. The Herald reports he allegedly sold some of the stolen items to a business in Kent. The 42-year-old man, who was arrested last week in Pierce County, is also wanted in Oregon. After his arrest, police found an AR-style rifle in his vehicle, according to a probable cause statement obtained by the paper.  kiro7.com


Memphis, TN: $5K in merchandise stolen from Bath & Body Works
Police say two women cleaned up at a Bath & Body Works on Friday and stole over $5,000 in merchandise from the business. MPD has released a photograph of one of the alleged shoplifters inside the store in the 5800 block of Poplar Avenue in East Memphis. Investigators said the same individuals visited the Bath & Body Works two days in a row and left with body care and fragrance items they didn’t pay for.  wreg.com


Minneapolis, MN: Update: Woman pleads guilty in connection to Lululemon theft ring

Benicia, CA: 2 suspects caught stealing cart full of items from CVS in Benicia