Retailers & Police Grappled with ORC's Complexities
Organized Retail Theft: The Data Behind the Headlines

By the D&D Daily staff

Organized Retail Crime (ORC) has become a fixture in news cycles, often framed around viral videos of brazen grab-and-runs or high-profile smash-and-grabs. But behind the headlines and politics, the data reveals a more complex reality — one that retailers and law enforcement are still working to fully understand.

Recent D&D Daily exclusive crime reports show how widespread and varied these incidents have become. In our mid-year violent fatality report, convenience stores were identified as the top target for both retail robberies and fatalities, underscoring the risks front-line workers face when organized theft escalates. Our robbery and burglary trackers have also documented increases across multiple categories of retail crime, suggesting that ORC activity often overlaps with other criminal patterns, rather than existing in isolation.

This overlap points to a broader challenge: distinguishing between crimes committed by opportunistic individuals and theft carried out by coordinated groups. Retailers and law enforcement often stress the difference, since organized networks tend to move stolen goods through sophisticated fencing operations — sometimes even reselling them through legitimate-looking online marketplaces. These groups can also shift quickly from one region to another, making enforcement difficult.

At the same time, industry experts caution against overstating the issue. While ORC is undeniably costly — NRF surveys estimate losses in the tens of billions each year — critics argue that some statistics combine organized incidents with ordinary shoplifting, blurring the lines and complicating the public conversation.

What’s clear from D&D Daily’s reporting is that retailers on the ground are experiencing real losses and safety risks. Stores ranging from big-box chains to small independent shops have reported theft crews targeting specific, high-value items such as electronics, designer clothing, or over-the-counter medications.

The response continues to evolve. Some states have established Organized Retail Crime Task Forces, pairing local police with major retailers. Others are pressing for new legislation that stiffens penalties for fencing stolen goods online. Retailers themselves are also testing new approaches, from locked cases to enhanced data-sharing systems.

ORC may remain a headline-grabbing issue, but the data shows it’s more than a flashpoint — it’s an evolving challenge with real consequences for businesses, employees, and communities alike.


New Safety Initiative Falling Short?
Business blames parents as teens continue to fight, shoplift in broad daylight
CINCINNATI - Months after the city rolled out new safety initiatives at The Banks, data has shown a decline in violent crime. But one business owner said he continues to watch fights from his windows while young thieves pocket his merchandise on a nearly daily basis.

Neal Sebastian owns Street Corner Market, a convenience store that sits catty-corner to the Freedom Center and Yard House. He said he can't speak for every business at The Banks, as teens can't gain access to most restaurants and bars in the area, but that he has a unique perspective.

He implemented a policy a few years ago prohibiting teens in the store after 9 p.m. Before then, Sebastian allows only two teens inside at a time and they may not carry backpacks.

Despite the city's new 9 p.m. curfew, shoplifting has not improved. Sebastian said teens are stealing in broad daylight.

"We just see an incredible amount of petty theft in here, 90% of which has usually been the juveniles," Sebastian said. "We can't exactly chase these people down the street. If I had every person arrested for petty theft, I'd be in court every day, and so the police honestly, they've got bigger fish to fry than stolen candy bars right now, so we're kind of left to deal with it on our own."  wcpo.com


Baltimore Stores Grapple with Huge Shoplifting Spike
Shoplifting incidents surge 68% in Southeast Baltimore, BPD data shows
“Every day somebody comes to get something that they don't want to pay for,” said Royal Farms employee, Lee Evans. In his three years working at the Brewers Hill convenience store, Evans says shoplifting is worse than ever before.

The 7-Eleven across from The Shops at Canton Crossing is facing the same surge of shoplifters. A sign on the store’s front door now reads, “No backpacks allowed.” The store has also cut back its hours — no longer open 24/7, instead, closing between midnight and 5 a.m.

Earlier this year, security cameras captured about a dozen teenagers stealing items off the shelves. The store manager tried to confront them, but then the thieves turned violent, slamming him against a wall.

According to data from BPD, shoplifting is skyrocketing in the Southeast district, jumping from 396 incidents this time last year to 666 so far this year -- a 68% increase. “Oh, I believe it,” said Evans. “That's why a lot of the business around here closed because they stole so much out of it.”

As for what’s driving the rise that’s driving out businesses, Baltimore police point to “opportunistic thefts, repeat offenders and incidents involving young people.” In response, the department says its stepping up patrols in the area, focusing on stores hit the hardest, and partnering with juvenile services and community groups to deter young offenders. foxbaltimore.com


Tech & Police Battle Smash & Grab Thieves
Bay Area smash-and-grab thieves getting caught using tech, PD collaboration
Smash. Grab. Go. The steps of the crime are simple. But tracing those steps is anything but, according to investigators. Lt. Leysy Pelayo with the San Ramon Police Department says suspects are adapting quickly.

"Suspects are getting more sophisticated with the planning of them," Pelayo said. "Some take each case and learn from it and adapt." Edward Liang with the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office says it's been a problem in places like San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Milpitas.

"When we look at smash-and-grabs, they are charged as robberies. But they are a much more violent subset of the overall retail theft world," Liang explained. He believes one reason for the surge is weak punishments. But recently passed state legislation could make a difference.

"Certain crimes with three or more people ... there is increased punishment there. There's potential increased punishment for how much is stolen," Liang said.

Police say regional collaboration, new technology, and tougher laws will help make smash-and-grabs harder to pull off in the future. "We are working together to try to prevent this and lessen the amount of incidents that are occurring," Pelayo added. cbsnews.com


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