Latest news with #retailtheft
The Guardian
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Hundreds arrested across 28 states in effort to curb organized retail theft
Hundreds of arrests across 28 states were made last week in what officials are saying is an unprecedented national effort to curb the rising rates of organized retail theft. The initiative, led by the Cook county regional organized crime taskforce in Illinois, brought together more than 100 law enforcement agencies and over 30 major retailers, CNBC reported Wednesday. The retailers include Target, Macy's, Home Depot, Walgreens and Kroger. The retailers also played a key role in the crackdown by supplying critical information. Ulta Beauty participated in nine states, sharing data on criminal activity with law enforcement. Marty Maloney, director of media relations at Walgreens, told CNBC that organized retail crime 'remains one of the most significant challenges' in the retail industry. He added that during the crackdown operation, the company 'worked closely with law enforcement partners across nearly 20 cities and at over 40 locations to help curb this trend'. Organized retail crime involves groups of individuals stealing merchandise in coordinated operations, often reselling the goods for profit. Authorities say this form of crime has not only grown more sophisticated, but also more widespread in recent years. A 2024 survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF) found that, compared with 2019, retailers saw a 93% spike in shoplifting incidents and a 90% rise in the financial losses tied to those thefts. The NRF previously claimed that organized retail crime accounted for 'nearly half' of the shopping industry's $94.5bn inventory losses in 2021, but later retracted those claims. 'When you give specific focus to a crime, it reverberates,' the 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.' Eileen O'Neill Burke, the Cook county state's attorney, made combating retail theft a priority since she took office in December. She announced that felony charges would be pursued whenever the value of stolen goods exceeds $300, or when suspects have prior felony shoplifting convictions, standards that align with state law.
Washington Post
19 hours ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Thieves take $32,000 in candles over weeks, Fairfax police say
In terms of targeting a niche item, perhaps few crimes hold a candle to the rash of retail thefts that broke out this year in Fairfax County, according to the county police. The stolen items were candles, the police said, and apparently fairly costly candles. One small group of thieves stole a total of $32,000 in candles during 15 separate thefts, almost all at stores in the Kingstowne and Fair Oaks sections of the county, the police alleged in an account released Tuesday. The serial candle stealing began in February and as time went on indicated 'a clear pattern of retail theft,' the police said. The headline on the statement issued Tuesday by the police indicated at least the possibility that some of the candles might have been more than the standard paraffin cylinders that may be used for illumination in case of power loss or to survive other emergencies. Nor did they seem the sort used in religious observance, or the quickly consumed candles bitterly addressed by Shakespeare's Macbeth ('out, out brief candle'). Instead, the police statement suggested, they may be the sort that provide a special fragrance and an aesthetic experience. 'Scent Trail Ends in Arrests After $32K Organized Candle Theft Spree' was the headline placed by police on their statement. The statement itself seemed straightforward, and shunned the temptation to offer flourishes anything like 'wick ware whisked away (allegedly).' It appears from the total valuation of the merchandise allegedly taken that these candles, and the scents they may produce, were priced at more than a few cents. Consider the most costly of the thefts. Police said it occurred April 7 in the 13000 block of Route 50, in the Fair Oaks area of the county. The value of the merchandise taken was given by police as $4,319.05. It seemed like the sort of theft that might, at least in a bygone day, have caused a merchant to wax wroth. Waxing wroth, according to an AI overview of information available online, 'means becoming progressively or increasingly angry.' The April 7 theft appears to have netted the largest haul. But, according to the police, 12 of the others also involved merchandise valued in the low four figures. As shown online, the prices of what appear to be high-end candles can easily fall in the range of $50 to $100 each. Such candles may be chosen according to the scent emitted, be made from materials other than wax, weigh about a pound, and come with carefully created cylindrical containers. It is also true that scented candles can be bought for far less. It was not clear exactly how many candles were taken in each of the reported thefts. The first of them was Feb. 10 in the 5800 block of Kingstowne Center, in the Kingstowne area, the police said. Officers went there at 1:02 p.m. and were told that three people had entered a business, taken merchandise and fled in a vehicle. The amount of merchandise taken was listed to the penny, if not the scent, as $1,802.45. The most recent theft that police attributed to the 'organized crew' was May 25 in the 6700 block of Frontier Drive, in the Springfield area. The loss was given as $600, the lowest amount in the 15 thefts police said they have linked. Three people were arrested Thursday in the District in connection with their alleged role in the thefts, the county police said. They said arrests were made by their fugitive tracking and apprehension team, with the aid of U.S. marshals. One of the three was charged with 10 counts of larceny with intent to sell, another with five such counts and a third with four counts of conspiracy to commit larceny, the police said. Police said they were being held in the District pending extradition to Fairfax County.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Real issue behind need for retail lockboxes ignored. Don't make excuses.
After reading James E. Causey's piece regarding retail and the need to lock things up, I thought that I would offer up my own personal insight ('Retail theft is on the rise,' May 18). I have worked in retail in some capacity for the last 18 plus years and have seen the changes that have led to more and more things being locked up, sad as it may be. (While he does not condone stealing, Causey mentioned situations where he has sympathy when it comes to essential items), whether it was food stamps not covering as much as a person would like or seniors and their pricey drugs, and that made me think. I tried to remember how many times in my 18 years did I see someone steal who actually needed it, and the answer is once. One time I saw, along with my boss, a young mother try to empty the contents of a can of formula into a bag because she couldn't afford it. My boss at the time stopped her, told her that there were options available and then paid for a new can for her and her child. One time, so in Causey's world that would be justified. Opinion: Retail theft is on the rise. How come we never talk about the real reasons why? But to the person who stole a floor display of Doritos, do we justify his nacho cheese cravings? Or to the person who stole 40 bottles of Tide, do we justify his need to either have his clothes extra clean or to have a side hustle? Or to the diaper girls who stole three carts full of diapers, do we justify wanting to change diapers more often than normal? Or to the man who stole 20 bottles of body wash, do we justify his need to want to be "Zest fully" clean? Also, the lock boxes, locking doors and security measures are not free. The company has to pay for them, as well as the cost of the items that have been stolen. I will agree that, yes, the bigger issue at hand is being ignored here, but not the one that Causey thinks. The issue at hand is not who the president is or whether or not needing security is racist, which it isn't, but rather the issue is why we have allowed people to bring us to this point where things need to be locked up and why we make excuses or justify the actions of some over others. Brian Brehmer, Milwaukee Opinion: Here's what readers had to say about wake-enhanced boating on Wisconsin lakes Letters: Cudahy Farms offers dense urban development that is environmentally friendly Here are some tips to get your views shared with your friends, family, neighbors and across our state: Please include your name, street address and daytime phone. Generally, we limit letters to 200 words. Cite sources of where you found information or the article that prompted your letter. Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing. Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person. We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions. We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters. Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months. All letters are subject to editing. Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax: (414)-223-5444. E-mail: jsedit@ or submit using the form that can be found on the on the bottom of this page. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why make excuses for the actions of some in retail thefts? | Letters
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Man arrested for multiple retail thefts in Osceola County, deputies say
The Brief A man has been arrested after he committed multiple reported retail thefts in Osceola County. Deputies say the man admitted to selling the stolen merchandise for profit. The man is facing multiple charges, including grand theft, petit theft, dealing in stolen property and driving with a suspended license. OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - A man has been arrested after he committed multiple reported retail thefts in Osceola County and admitted to selling the stolen merchandise for profit, deputies say. What we know On May 28, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office said they received a delayed report regarding a series of retail thefts that occurred at the Lowe's located at 4420 Pleasant Hill Road in Kissimmee. When speaking with the store personnel, deputies say six separate theft incidents were reported as taking place between March 27 and April 28. Store surveillance footage captured the suspect's vehicle, including the license plate, which helped detectives in identifying the suspect as 55-year-old Edwin Ibanez. Investigators later determined that Ibanez was driving with a suspended license and had an active warrant for Violation of Probation out of Pinellas County. On May 29, officials spotted Ibanez operating the vehicle and conducted a felony traffic stop near Old Pleasant Hill Road and Cypress Parkway. Deputies say Ibanez was taken into custody without incident. What we don't know Authorities have not yet released the total amount in losses from the combined thefts. What they're saying Deputies say that later on Ibanez confessed to all six reported thefts and admitted to selling the stolen merchandise for profit. What's next Ibanez is facing charges including two counts of grand theft, four counts of petit theft, six counts of dealing in stolen property and driving with a suspended license. Ibanez currently sits in the Osceola County Jail. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Osceola County Sheriff's Office in a news release on May 31, 2025.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘They cry': Sex shop owner exacts revenge on thieves
A Bundaberg shop owner fed up with sticky-fingered customers has come up with his own genius way to exact justice. Dave Kidd is running a second-generation family business handed down to him from his mother — a sex toy shop called Into Love. It has been plagued by looting with customers stealing everything from blow up dolls to empty DVD cases, according to A Current Affair. Frustrated and unable to bear the cost of the lost revenue, Mr Kidd decided to take matters into his own hands and began outing the thieves on social media. 'Theft happens in every store, but when they steal from our store, it's a bit funnier because of what they're pinching,' he said. He circulates footage of the shoplifters on Facebook with a plea to help identify the culprits – a technique which has proved surprisingly effective. 'I don't think you'd want to be named and shamed for taking an adult toy,' one of Mr Kidd's employees told ACA. 'They come in here very upset, very embarrassed, and don't want family members to see it. Sometimes they'll cry and say, 'please take it down'.' Mr Kidd is happy to remove the offending content from Facebook, but only after the customer had paid for the item they stole. One post on the Facebook page from May 1 reads: 'Well here we are once again! We are asking for the amazing assistance from our wonderful Bundaberg customers and our future customers!' it reads. 'I guess this charming lady forgot that you can't walk out the door, with a $200 product in her bag, without passing the front desk to pay for it! 'It is against the law to steal. We do have signs at the front door, we will post it on Facebook and we will press charges. 'Want this embarrassing footage taken down? Then by all means pop on down to the big purple building and we will happily process your payment, and then we can take this down! 'We have cameras, they do work, and we will always make sure a small family run business can stay in business by making sure customers can afford to pay for items. If you don't have the cash, we do lay-bys. 'We will offer the first correct ID caller (or private message) 20% off any item in the shop. Want to stay anonymous? No issues at all. 'We have so many amazing loyal customers, and because of you this business wants to say a massive thank you for shopping honestly. 'Who recognises this charming lady? We will have more footage in the comments!' Dave said thievery had always been a problem but after reportedly losing $20,000 to the thieves he decided enough was enough. 'The thefts were coming in hot and heavy and I just couldn't afford the loss so I thought 'how do I combat this?''
