New Ohio law aims to crack down on organized retail theft
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Individuals who are caught stealing from Ohio stores as part of an organized crime ring will now face increased penalties, thanks to a new law that went into effect this month.
House Bill 336, named the Fight Organized Retail Crime and Empower Law Enforcement (FORCE) Act, created a felony offense of organized retail theft in Ohio. The crime involves people coordinating the theft of merchandise with the intent of reselling it or otherwise using it for financial gain. Watch a previous report on organized crime rings' effects on central Ohio in the video player above.
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'Organized retail crime represents an economic challenge for Ohio, amounting to billions of dollars in losses,' said Rep. Haraz Ghanbari (R-75th District), the bill's sponsor, at an introductory hearing last year. 'The repercussions of such crime extend beyond financial losses. Increased criminal activity disrupts businesses and threatens the safety of consumers and employees alike.'
The Ohio Council of Retail Merchants estimates that organized retail theft costs businesses in the state $2 billion to $3 billion annually. To offset the losses, some retailers may raise prices.
The statute, which went into effect on April 9, classifies organized retail theft of a value less than $750,000 as a third-degree felony, a value between $750,000 and $1.5 million as a second-degree felony, and a value more than $1.5 million as a first-degree felony. When determining the retail value, the cost of all property stolen from one or more establishments by a person or group within any 12-month period may be considered.
'These criminals rely on safety in numbers, but it's a false sense of security,' said Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, whose office worked on the legislation. 'We now can charge them as a group, making it easier to convict and imprison thieves who target retailers as part of a crime ring.'
The law established a task force under Yost's office to investigate retail theft across the state, assisting local law enforcement and prosecutors. In Ohio, any person making retail sales subject to sales tax must obtain a vendor's license, which has a fee of $25. The law raised that fee to $50 to help fund the task force.
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Throughout the legislation's hearings last year, multiple retailers, including Walgreens, Target, JCPenney, Walmart and Meijer, testified in support of the bill.
'Walgreens has experienced a significant increase in product loss in Ohio and across the country over the last several years,' Walgreens major crimes investigations manager Bryan Lindsay said. 'Organized Retail Crime not only results in substantial financial losses for businesses, but also jeopardizes the safety of employees and customers.'
The statute also attempts to crack down on porch pirates by creating the offense of mail theft, which is generally a fifth-degree felony but can escalate to a first-degree felony depending on the value of the stolen mail.
It additionally targets repeat theft offenders, setting a minimum fourth-degree felony charge for thefts committed by residents who have a felony theft conviction within the previous three years.
Zachary Miller, with Ohio's Office of the Public Defender, was the only person to testify against the bill. He expressed concern about how the legislation may impact those who struggle with substance use and commit theft, but are not part of an organized crime ring.
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'As the provider of legal representation for indigent Ohioans accused of a crime, we believe HB 366 will disproportionately impose unduly harsh sentences on those accused of low-level theft, especially those struggling with substance use disorders,' Miller said in December testimony.
As of January, 28 states have established criminal laws focusing on organized retail crime or enhanced penalties for those who steal repeatedly for the purpose of reselling stolen goods, according to the National Retail Federation.
HB 336 was introduced in December 2023 and signed by Gov. Mike DeWine in January. It passed the House 83-6 and the Senate 30-0.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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