Latest news with #TomDart
NBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- NBC News
Nationwide coordinated retail crime crackdown results in hundreds of arrests, authorities say
A nationwide coordinated crackdown on retail crime — what authorities are calling the first of its kind — led to hundreds of arrests in 28 states last week. The blitz, led by Illinois' Cook County regional organized crime task force, involved more than 100 jurisdictions and over 30 retailers including Home Depot, Macy's, Target, Ulta Beauty, Walgreens, Kroger and Meijer. 'When you give specific focus to a crime, it reverberates,' Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart told CNBC. 'When they see it is being prosecuted and taken seriously, it deters conduct. They don't want to get caught.' Organized retail crime — a type of shoplifting where groups of thieves work together in targeted operations to turn stolen goods into cash — has grown in scale and scope in recent years. CNBC previously reported on the extensive law enforcement efforts to take down retail crime organizations. While aggregate numbers for retail theft are difficult to quantify, retailers reported 93% more shoplifting incidents on average in 2023 compared with 2019, according to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation. Those surveyed also reported a 90% increase in the associated dollar losses over that same time period. Some critics point to a lack of enforcement and felony thresholds for allowing criminals to continue committing theft. It's something Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke has been focused on since taking office in December. On her first day in office, O'Neill Burke said prosecutors would pursue felony retail theft charges in accordance with state law, when the value of the goods exceeds $300 or when the suspect already has a felony shoplifting conviction. Before her taking office, retail theft felonies were charged only if the value of the stolen goods was $1,000 or more or if the suspect had 10 or more prior convictions. Since Dec. 1, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office has filed charges in 1,450 felony retail theft cases, the office said. The goals of the coordinated operation, O'Neill Burke told CNBC, is 'to have one day where we focus and concentrate on [retail theft] and we share intelligence about it — about what we learned about the network, so that gives us more tools on how to take this network down.' It was the coordination between law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys that got a number of the involved retailers to participate in the blitz. 'Collaboration is key to making a meaningful impact,' Ulta Beauty Senior Vice President of Loss Prevention Dan Petrousek told CNBC. 'That's why we were proud to participate in the National ORC Blitz alongside dedicated law enforcement and prosecutorial partners.' Ulta Beauty had teams participating across nine states in last week's operation, providing law enforcement with information on incidents of retail crime. 'Organized retail crime remains one of the most significant challenges in our industry,' said Marty Maloney, Walgreens director of media relations. 'In this most recent operation we worked closely with law enforcement partners across nearly 20 cities and at over 40 locations to help curb this trend.' A representative for Home Depot told CNBC that while overall theft is down, investigated incidents of organized retail crime are still up double digits year over year. Now that the operation has concluded, the group is pulling together each jurisdictions' observations and sharing data to continue to help crack down on retail theft. Macy's, T.J. Maxx and Target, said they're committed to partnering with law enforcement and pushing for stronger laws to combat retail crime. California Highway Patrol arrests retail crime suspect in Long Beach, California Highway Patrol.
CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Illinois lawmakers pass legislation aimed at helping solve missing persons cases
New legislation aiming to help solve missing persons cases is headed to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk for final approval. The Missing Persons Identification Act requires law enforcement to report immediately when they learn of a missing person and enter it into the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System. If a person is missing for more than 60 days, investigators will be required to also collect any existing fingerprint or dental records and photos and enter that info into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System database. The legislation also requires that missing persons cases remain active and in databases until the person is found. Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart's "Missing Persons Project," a team of sheriff's investigators who work to solve long-term missing women cases, was the inspiration for this bill. "This bill provides a guide for law enforcement on how to respond and follow up on missing persons investigations and provide answers to family members regarding their loved ones' whereabouts," Dart said in a statement.
CNBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
Nationwide coordinated retail crime crackdown results in hundreds of arrests, authorities say
A nationwide coordinated crackdown on retail crime — what authorities are calling the first of its kind — led to hundreds of arrests in 28 states last week. The blitz, led by Illinois' Cook County regional organized crime task force, involved more than 100 jurisdictions and over 30 retailers including Home Depot, Macy's, Target, Ulta Beauty, Walgreens, Kroger and Meijer. "When you give specific focus to a crime, it reverberates," Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart told CNBC. "When they see it is being prosecuted and taken seriously, it deters conduct. They don't want to get caught." Organized retail crime — a type of shoplifting where groups of thieves work together in targeted operations to turn stolen goods into cash — has grown in scale and scope in recent years. CNBC previously reported on the extensive law enforcement efforts to take down retail crime organizations. While aggregate numbers for retail theft are difficult to quantify, retailers reported 93% more shoplifting incidents on average in 2023 compared with 2019, according to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation. Those surveyed also reported a 90% increase in the associated dollar losses over that same time period. Some critics point to a lack of enforcement and felony thresholds for allowing criminals to continue committing theft. It's something Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke has been focused on since taking office in December. On her first day in office, O'Neill Burke said prosecutors would pursue felony retail theft charges in accordance with state law, when the value of the goods exceeds $300 or when the suspect already has a felony shoplifting conviction. Before her taking office, retail theft felonies were charged only if the value of the stolen goods was $1,000 or more or if the suspect had 10 or more prior convictions. Since Dec. 1, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office has filed charges in 1,450 felony retail theft cases, the office said. The goals of the coordinated operation, O'Neill Burke told CNBC, is "to have one day where we focus and concentrate on [retail theft] and we share intelligence about it — about what we learned about the network, so that gives us more tools on how to take this network down." It was the coordination between law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys that got a number of the involved retailers to participate in the blitz. "Collaboration is key to making a meaningful impact," Ulta Beauty Senior Vice President of Loss Prevention Dan Petrousek told CNBC. "That's why we were proud to participate in the National ORC Blitz alongside dedicated law enforcement and prosecutorial partners." Ulta Beauty had teams participating across nine states in last week's operation, providing law enforcement with information on incidents of retail crime. "Organized retail crime remains one of the most significant challenges in our industry," said Marty Maloney, Walgreens director of media relations. "In this most recent operation we worked closely with law enforcement partners across nearly 20 cities and at over 40 locations to help curb this trend." A representative for Home Depot told CNBC that while overall theft is down, investigated incidents of organized retail crime are still up double digits year over year. Now that the operation has concluded, the group is pulling together each jurisdictions' observations and sharing data to continue to help crack down on retail theft. Other participating retailers reached for comment by CNBC, including Macy's, T.J. Maxx and Target, said they're committed to partnering with law enforcement and pushing for stronger laws to combat retail crime.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Chief Judge's Office takes over electronic monitoring in Cook County
The Brief The Cook County Sheriff's Office has officially ended its electronic monitoring program. The Chief Judge's Office, through the Adult Probation Department, will now handle all electronic monitoring assignments. Current participants will remain under the sheriff's program until their cases are resolved, likely by fall. CHICAGO - Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart has officially ended his office's electronic monitoring program, a process he first announced in December. Going forward, the responsibility will shift to the Chief Judge's Office, specifically the Adult Probation Department. What we know Sheriff Dart previously said he could no longer run the program safely due to changes under Illinois' SAFE-T Act. The transition means his office will no longer accept new participants, and all future electronic monitoring court orders will be managed by the judiciary. Chief Judge Timothy Evans said the system should focus on two groups of people: those considered a threat to the community and those deemed a flight risk. "We have to balance the rights of the accused at the same time that we balance the protection of the public," Evans said. Read the Cook County Sheriff's Office statement below: "Beginning today, the Sheriff's Office will no longer accept new placements into its Electronic Monitoring program and all future placements will be assigned to the Office of the Chief Judge. While we expect our program to sunset later this year, the Sheriff's Office is committed to supporting the Office of the Chief Judge in the operation of their EM program by providing any law enforcement services it may need to ensure public safety going forward. Yesterday, the Sheriff's Office staff met with staff from the Office of the Chief Judge as part of ongoing conversations between the two agencies and assured them that the Sheriff's Office will assist the Office of the Chief Judge in apprehending, locating, and charging individuals declared AWOL from their EM program. We also committed to assisting them during instances where they feel additional law enforcement support may be needed. All other administrative tasks – including services for individuals with no place to stay – will be performed by the Office of the Chief Judge." What's next For now, individuals currently on the sheriff's electronic monitoring program will remain under that system until their cases are resolved, which could take until fall. The Chief Judge's Office will oversee all new electronic monitoring assignments moving forward. The Source FOX 32's Kasey Chronis reported on this story.
Chicago Tribune
20-02-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Around the Southland: Orland food pantry gets boost from sheriff's office, more
Sheriff's office helps fill food pantry in Orland A donation from the Cook County sheriff's office helped fill the shelves of the Orland Township Food Pantry after a food drive last month. This year's drive, which involved efforts from sheriff's office personnel, including officers who patrol the township's unincorporated areas, yielded a large number of nonperishable food items. 'Our community thrives when we come together to support one another, and I can't thank Sheriff Tom Dart and his team enough for their commitment to helping those in need,' Orland Township Supervisor Paul O'Grady shared in a news release, adding that the sheriff's annual food drive 'is a shining example of partnership and compassion, and the impact of their donation will be felt by many families across Orland Township.' The pantry always needs donations of food, pet items, hygiene products and financial contributions. Information is at or 708-403-4222. 103rd Street Metra station reopens as 95th Street station closes After more than a year of construction, the 103rd Street/Rosemore Station on the Metra Electric Line will reopen to customers. That same day, the 95th St./Chicago State University station will close for about two years for its own $33.4 million rehabilitation and expansion. The 103rd St./Rosemore station is the second to reopen under a $33.9 million contract for three stations: 79th Street/Chatham, 87th Street/Woodruff and 103rd Street/Rosemore. The 79th Street/Chatham station has reopened and work has begun at the 87th St./Woodruff station. After completion, all three stations will have enclosed lobbies with elevators and ADA-accessible entrances, new stairs and headhouses, new lighting and signs, and new composite deck platforms. The 95th Street station project, which has a completion date of the third quarter of 2027, will improve its accessibility and connection to Chicago State University. It's being funded through the Rebuild Illinois capital program, Cook County and a Federation Transit Administration All Stations Accessibility Program grant. The work includes a new tunnel entrance and walkway and bike lane connecting to a new commuter parking lot, as well as new headhouse, platform and stairs, new street-level entrance on 95th Street with an enclosed entrance, new elevator and a full-length canopy on the platform. In other Metra news, the board approved a $8.69 million contract to renovate the 115th Street/Morgan Park Station on the Rock Island Line. Work is expected to begin later this year at the station to replace the existing platform shelters, create a new plaza and sidewalks, and address stormwater management needs. The project will also include resurfacing the station's two parking areas and new lighting. H-F park district earns Champions for Change award The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District had to make space for another award after winning the Illinois Park and Recreation Association and Illinois Association of Park District's Champions for Change Award during the annual Soaring to New Heights conference awards luncheon held recently at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago. The award is given to an agency that has 'unique and exemplary practices of increasing access and fostering diversity and inclusion within its community or organization,' a district news release noted. Such practices result in positive social change and remove barriers, as well as encouraging others to follow in their path. 'At HFPD, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – or DEI – are not just initiatives; they are part of who we are,' Irwin Center manager Oralethea Davenport, chairman of the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District DEI Committee, shared in the news release. The district's board-approved DEI goals in the last two years include annual training, program and event reviews, and creating a HFPD DEI logo for display at facility entrances. The district's scholarship fund has offered recreational opportunities for families in financial need, and its collaboration with the South Suburban Special Recreation Association has boosted accessibility for programming, allowing people with special needs to participate in activities that might otherwise be available. In addition, events and programs such as the annual PRIDE Fest held with the villages of Flossmoor and Homewood help enhance community bonds and promote equity. Diaper drive this month benefits Together We Cope Together We Cope benefits from a diaper drive held through Feb. 28 at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, 8100 W. 119th St., No. 100, Palos Park. New, opened and partial packages of diapers, training pants and adult briefs will be accepted. All brands and sizes are welcome, especially for larger children and adults. Monetary donations in cash or checks made payable to Together We Cope also are welcome. Palos Islamic Center hosts day to learn about Ramadan Learn about Ramadan during Open Mosque Day from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 23 at Palos Islamic Center, 123400 S. 80th Ave., Palos Park. All are welcome to connect with Muslim neighbors and explore Ramadan, which is celebrated Feb. 28 through March 29. During the holiday, Muslims fast daily from dawn to sunset, eating and drinking nothing, including water, as well as attend prayer services. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam; the others are prayer, almsgiving, pilgrimage and the profession of faith. Families and friends gather to break their fast. The holiday Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. Information sessions, traditional cuisine, henna, calligraphy and festive decor will be offered at the center. Information is at or 708-888-7074. Church's chili cook-off benefits youth work trip to Appalachia A chili cook-off and dinner is planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 26 in Fellowship Hall at Flossmoor Community Church, 2218 Hutchison Road, Flossmoor. The event, hosted by the board of Lay Ministries, benefits the youth work trip to Appalachia. Lay Ministries will supply cornbread and traditional chili toppings. Macaroni and cheese also will be served. Attendees will eat, judge and enjoy fellowship. The suggested donation is $10 per person. It's free to enter the contest. Register at or call 708-798-2800.
