Organized retail crime remains a serious problem for retailers across the country and around the world. Every day, there are countless stories about criminal enterprises victimizing stores, threatening the safety of customers and employees, and the very fabric of the retail industry. To give you a better feel for the vast impact of the problem, we have provided a glimpse into just a few of the incidents that took place in the month of September, 2024.
Federal officials charge two men in connection with $12.3 million ORC ring.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that two men accused in an organized theft crime ring have been arrested and charged. This comes after they seized around 60,000 stolen items worth around $1.6 million. The retail theft crime ring targeted retailers nationwide and resold stolen goods in bulk to other retailers, according to officials. They seized stolen goods enough to fill three 24-foot box trucks. The stolen items included cosmetics, over-the-counter drugs and other high-end goods. Federal officials said the two men held positions known as “diverters” that create shell companies, own warehouses where stolen goods are shipped, and act as a supplier for small to mid-sized retail chains. Investigators said the two sold the stolen goods to smaller, brick-and-motor retailers or ecommerce sites. The Rhode Island-based organized retail crime theft has allegedly netted roughly $12.3 million in sales, federal prosecutors said.
$9.5 million in stolen big box retailer merchandise found
Authorities in Southern California have arrested two people accused of stealing $9.5 million in merchandise from more than a dozen big box retailers. The suspects were arrested after officers with the California Highway Patrol raided several locations tied to their organized cargo theft ring. Recovered merchandise included shoes, clothing, electronics and perishable items. CBS Los The $9.5 million figure is an initial estimate, with authorities still calculating the final total. Authorities believe one of the individuals is connected to a raid from earlier this year, where troopers with the agency’s Southern Division Theft Interdiction Program recovered another $9 million in stolen merchandise. Authorities did not disclose which retailers the items were allegedly stolen from.
Dad and son sold counterfeit luxury goods at Miami store, had $3M in fake goods
A father and son duo are facing charges after police said they sold counterfeit luxury handbags and other items out of their Miami store where investigators found a treasure trove of around $3 million in phony items, officials said. The counterfeit items for sale included luxury brand goods like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Fendi, Hermes, Gucci, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Prada, YSL, Christian Dior, Balenciaga, and Tiffany, the reports said. Miami Police detectives working with Homeland Security Investigations made controlled purchases at the business using a confidential informant. A licensed private investigator who works as a trademark representative and the brands’ in-house trademark experts also verified that the items were counterfeit. A search warrant was executed at the business and around $3 million worth of counterfeit merchandise was recovered. Also recovered was equipment used to make the merchandise.
Jewelers Mutual, JSA Warn of Jewelry-Store Crime ‘Crisis’
Jewelers Mutual and Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA) have issued an urgent warning about the increasing severity and frequency of jewelry-store robberies by organized crime groups. The insurance provider and security organization have linked the rash of burglaries at jewelry stores across the US to “organized, traveling groups” believed to be from South America. The criminals are targeting both mall-based and stand-alone jewelry stores, gaining access through rooftops and shared walls of neighboring stores. The gangs generally use a variety of tools to break into safes and vaults, giving them access to millions of dollars of merchandise. They work by casing locations during the day and breaking in overnight, and prefer locations adjacent to construction sites or vacant buildings.
Man sentenced for scheme that cost Meijer $800K
A man involved in a long-running organized retail scheme that cost Meijer stores hundreds of thousands of dollars was sentenced. Travis Gale was sentenced to three to 20 years in prison for conducting a criminal enterprise. The scheme occurred over a period of years where Gale and several co-defendants decided to engage in a scheme that involved coupon and gift card fraud from Meijer. According to court records, Meijer discovered a loss of $805,000 due to counterfeit coupon barcodes dating back to at least 2018. When detectives searched Gale’s home, they say they found Visa and MasterCard gift cards that were fraudulently obtained from Meijer.
‘Large-scale’ retail thefts in Toronto total more than $600,000
Police have arrested 16 people who they allege stole more than $600,000 worth of “high-valued items” as part of a large-scale organized retail theft across the Greater Toronto Area. Occasionally, suspects would resort to threats of violence, either verbally or by brandishing a weapon if approached. Police claimed the suspects were responsible for $623,852 in retail thefts. They added that the suspects intended to resell the stolen items. As a result of several investigations, 16 people were apprehended, and police said that all were out on release orders during their arrests.
Carrollton Police Bust Organized Retail Theft Rings
The Carrollton Police Department has recently made significant inroads into dismantling organized retail theft rings, with arrests made in two separate cases involving major retailers throughout the Southeast. These cases include thefts from Lowe’s stores and various Walmart outlets, with the combined losses amounting to around $200,000. These particular fraudulent activities spanned over 34 Lowe’s stores in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee amounting to $100,000 in losses. Meanwhile, Carrollton police have also had their hands full with another case involving more than $100,000 worth of jewelry stolen from Walmart stores. The ongoing investigations are expected to lead to additional arrests, as police continue to pursue leads and work with retailers.
Police investigate alleged ORC thefts from Amazon Fulfillment Center
Fort Wayne police are investigating nearly $160,000 worth of Apple iPhone thefts from Amazon. An ecoATM representative alerted police of suspicious transactions with iPhone 15s. ecoATM attempts to reduce electronic waste by allowing individuals to sell their phones for cash. Two brothers were arrested in connection to 10 stolen iPhone 15s from Amazon, one being an employee at the Amazon Fulfillment Center. According to police, two additional suspects have active warrants, one being another Amazon employee. Reports state they sold and used other people to sell 154 iPhones to ecoATM. In total, reports indicate approximately $159,296.98 worth of phones were stolen, with detectives recovering roughly $54,593. Police say all suspects used ecoATMs for selling the devices.
$100K in losses in alleged Lowe’s theft ring across Georgia
Two people are behind bars after being accused of an organized theft ring at multiple Lowe’s in southeast Georgia. An investigation led to authorities identifying four men from the Atlanta area suspected of being involved in a significant theft ring. Two suspects were arrested after they visited the Carrollton Lowe’s and used fake contractor and business charge accounts for unauthorized purchases. The investigation revealed that the group is responsible for over $100,000 in losses, impacting over 34 Lowe’s stores across southeast Georgia. Charges include identity fraud, computer invasion of privacy, and organized retail theft. Additional charges and arrests related to the thefts are forthcoming.
ORC Task Force Arrests Three Suspects in Thefts from Multiple Stores across Ventura County
The Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force (VCORTTF) recently concluded an investigation with the arrest of the primary suspect in a series of thefts targeting LensCrafters, ULTA, and Target stores. Detectives have determined the suspect is responsible for stealing merchandise valued at tens of thousands of dollars across multiple Southern California retail stores. From ULTA stores alone, he is believed to have stolen over $35,000 worth of products. Additionally, he is suspected of stealing prescription eyewear and various other items from LensCrafters and Target stores, totaling several thousand dollars in losses. Two additional subjects, Juan Caudillo (51) from Downey and Desire Garcia (27) from Compton were also arrested. The suspect was booked on felony charges related to Organized Retail Theft. A judge approved detectives’ request to increase his bail amount to $100,000 due to the numerous thefts he is suspected of committing as well as his lengthy criminal history. Detectives also filed paperwork to determine the source of any monies he may produce for the purpose of bail due to their belief it was likely he would use illegally obtained funds.
For Those Interested in Learning More
September was another busy month for those involved in organized retail crime. For those interested in learning more, here are some of the additional incidents that took place this month. Click on the links to explore some of these events:
Detectives search for teens responsible for 14 flash robberies at 7-Eleven stores
The Los Angeles Police Department has assigned its organized retail crime task force to help find a group of teens responsible for 14 flash robberies at various 7-Eleven stores throughout the city. “They’re also just completely destroying the place. They’re vandalizing it,” Detective Supervisor Samuel Arnold said. The string of robberies have continued sporadically for two months. Videos from the incidents show groups of teenagers, ranging between 20 to 40 suspects, raiding the convenience stores and ransacking the shelves. Arnold said the vandalism resulted in roughly $30,000 in damages.
$80K recovered in Northern California ORC/illegal gambling operation
Four people were arrested in Northern California after a probation search led to the break-up of an illegal gambling operation, stolen merchandise worth about $80,000 and about $30,000 in cash. A stolen trailer, a gun, and ammunition were also recovered.
$71K in Stolen Goods Stolen in ‘Significant Organized Retail Theft’ Operation in Pennsylvania
Five suspects who were involved in felony thefts are facing dozens of charges for stealing more than $71,000 in goods from major retailers across nine Pennsylvania counties. The five accused individuals stole over-the-counter medications and other health and beauty products from major retailers including Giant, Weis Markets, and Wegmans in 40 documented incidents.
Man Accused of Leading Large Organized Retail Theft Ring
Bend, Oregon police say they’ve arrested nearly two-dozen people connected to an organized retail theft ring. Following a months-long investigation of at least 25 thefts, 31 suspects were identified ranging in age from 15 to 46 and more than $22,000 in merchandise was stolen from big-box retailers like Fred Meyer, Walmart, WinCo, and DICKS.
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