As the weather turns and Spring begins, our thoughts once again turn to March Madness, a crazy time of year marked by unpredictable events with opposing forces battling to overcome the many obstacles and often formidable opponents that stand in the way of our ultimate goals. Some results are expected while others catch us by surprise, but through the daunting challenges and opposing forces that stand in the way, it is most often dedication and teamwork that prevail. And whether this display involves a ball and a basket or the fight against organized retail crime, we all love to see when that dedication and teamwork pays off.
ORCAs in Action, the coalition of the nation’s organized retail crime associations, will hold the latest in a series of virtual conferences on Thursday, March 21st from 2 – 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, featuring the latest in a series of presentations highlighting the exceptional work being accomplished across the country in the ongoing battle against organized retail crime.
The ORCAs in Action initiative features top leaders and subject matter experts from across the country dedicated to these efforts. The March 21st LPM webinar will feature two outstanding coast-to-coast presentations reviewing recent real-world success stories and the lessons learned.
In California, charges were recently announced against the ringleader of an ORC scheme and multiple members of her organized retail crime ring in an investigation that spanned 21 counties and involved an estimated $8 million worth of beauty products. The investigation was conducted by the California Department of Justice (DOJ), California Highway Patrol (CHP), Department of Homeland Security, US Postal
Inspection Service along with ULTA’s Organized Retail Crime team and Sephora Representatives. Join us as Marc Tirheimer, manager of ORC Investigations at Ulta Beauty covering California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, along with Officer Mike Diehl from the California Highway Patrol provide some highlights and background from this outstanding ORC investigation.
In Massachusetts, over 40 members and associates of the Heath Street Gang in Boston were recently charged with racketeering conspiracy; drug trafficking; firearms; wire fraud; and financial frauds, including COVID fraud, following a two-year investigation into gang violence in Boston. With more than 150 members, the Heath Street Gang has historically been involved in acts of violence to preserve and protect the Gang’s power, territory, and reputation. According to the charging documents, in furtherance of the racketeering conspiracy, members/associates are implicated in a number of murders, attempted murders, and shootings. It is further alleged that the Heath Street Gang engages in a number of financial and theft crimes, including an organized retail theft group that has allegedly openly and brazenly stolen merchandise from various stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sean Garvey with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England will be presenting on the Heath Street Gang ORC investigation.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
