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 August 2025.
Recent Houston Area Retail Thefts Linked to Mexican Cartels
A search warrant filed in Harris County outlines a large-scale investigation into multiple organized retail thefts with links to Mexican cartels. The suspect’s arrest is part of a sprawling investigation into 200 individuals suspected of stealing retail merchandise in 28 states. The stolen goods were shipped to Mexico to be sold. More than $120 million worth of merchandise is believed to have been shipped into Mexico. Investigators write that the La Familia Michoacana Cartel “has been the primary organization receiving goods and selling them in the Nezahualcoyotl region of Mexico.” The warrant also states that the Cartel Del Noreste and Jalisco New Generation Cartels have been smuggling people into the US to commit these thefts and ship the merchandise to Laredo.
Elaborate $25M Diamond Heist Ends in a Swift Recovery and Multiple Arrests
In an operation named Pink Diamond, Dubai police successfully thwarted the theft of an exceptionally rare pink diamond worth $25 million and foiled the criminals’ attempt to smuggle it out of the country. Dubai Police revealed that Operation Pink Diamond led to the arrest of the gang, who had been plotting for over a year to steal the rare diamond. The criminals’ scheme involved identifying the diamond’s owner and deceiving him into believing that a wealthy buyer was interested in purchasing it. Leveraging advanced technologies, Dubai Police CID teams identified the three suspects, tracked their locations, and arrested them—ensuring the diamond was safely recovered before it could be smuggled out of the country.
$15M Truckload of Apple Products and AMD Chips Stolen in Brazen Heist
A semi-trailer loaded with an estimated $15 million in electronics was driven off from an unsecured lot in Reno. Much of the property stolen was AMD and Apple merchandise intended for retail store shelves. The shipment arrived at a lot after business hours when no employees were on site, leaving the valuable cargo unattended and vulnerable. The lot itself was also reportedly unsecured, lacking fences or guards. Security camera footage captured the suspects driving a separate tractor onto the lot, hooking it up to the trailer, and making a clean getaway with the goods. The late night heist suggests that the perpetrators had inside information about the cargo and its route.
14 Arrested in Largest Home Depot Theft Ring Ever
Authorities in Southern California have announced the arrest of 14 people accused of running what they called the largest organized retail theft operation targeting Home Depot in the company’s history. The suspects are allegedly linked to 600 thefts at 71 different Home Depots, with losses exceeding $10 million. Boosters would systematically steal expensive electrical components like breakers, dimmers, and switches. The stolen goods were then allegedly delivered to the suspect’s business or home in trash bags or Home Depot boxes. The investigation also led to the arrest of the suspect’s brother-in-law, who allegedly sold stolen merchandise through eBay in a “nearly identical” fencing operation. Investigators seized an estimated $3.7 million in Home Depot property and $800,000 in what they described as “dirty money” from alleged money laundering operations.
Melbourne Police Bust $10M Shoplifting Syndicate in Operation Supernova
In a significant police operation in Melbourne, Australia, 19 individuals, believed to be part of an organized shoplifting syndicate, have been apprehended. The arrested individuals are accused of stealing goods worth over $10 million. The Box Hill Divisional Response Unit, through its ‘Supernova’ operation, arrested the group allegedly involved in the theft of high-demand items over a period of five months. The stolen products included baby formula, medicines, vitamins, skincare products, electric toothbrushes, and toiletries. The majority of the accused are reported to be Indian nationals, believed to be part of a network that systematically stole items and funneled them to various sellers.
Los Angeles Police Arrest Montebello Man in $4.5M Cargo Theft Bust
Los Angeles police raided a small hardware chain and recovered $4.5 million worth of stolen merchandise, including power tools from Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita. Detectives served search warrants at two locations connected to DJ General Tool and Wire where officers recovered home appliances, e-bikes, and other stolen cargo in addition to the allegedly stolen power tools.
25+ Indicted in Multi-Year Multi-Million-Dollar Organized Retail Theft and DVD Fencing Ring Case
A State Grand Jury has indicted the entity ‘iSold It on eBay’ in Glendale, as well as 24 known alleged “boosters,” after a multi-year investigation conducted by the United States Department of Homeland Security. iSold It is alleged to have made more than $2,000,000 from the sale of previously stolen property. The indictments allege that ‘iSold It on eBay’ worked with “boosters” to purchase stolen media, mainly Blu-Ray and DVDs, which were then sold at discounted prices on their online Amazon storefront.
Arrest Made in Organized Theft of $779K Worth of Merchandise from Various Bay Area Businesses
A suspect in connection to a large organized retail theft ring in the Bay Area has been arrested following an investigation targeting various businesses across the Bay Area. The stolen merchandise recovered was valued at a total of more than $779,000, according to the California Highway Patrol. The investigation led to the discovery of a fencing operation based in Oakland. CHP did not specify which stores the merchandise was stolen from.
California TJ Maxx Retail Theft Ring Busted; 8 Suspects Arrested
A large organized retail theft ring targeting TJ Maxx stores in the Bay Area and other California locations was broken up, with multiple arrests in San Jose and the recovery of more than $380,000 in stolen merchandise. Eight people were arrested after warrants were served at four homes and a storage unit. Several other suspects are still being sought. It’s believed the stolen merchandise was being resold at flea markets in San Jose.
Black Bag Bandit Wanted in Alleged Thefts Totaling $250K
A woman is being sought for over a dozen thefts in central Ohio. According to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, the Lululemon Organized Retail Crime Investigation Team began investigating the suspect for “high value thefts” at Lululemon stores where they used large black bags to conceal thousands of dollars worth of merchandise, earning her the nickname the “Black Bag Bandit.” The suspect and several alleged accomplices reportedly sell the items on social media platforms. Police believe her total estimated theft amount is approaching $250,000 over the past six months.
OC Woman Arrested for Stealing Over $100K Worth of High-End Clothing and Shoes
Irvine Police Department detectives teamed up with the OCDA Organized Retail Theft Unit and private security partners to apprehend a thief with a penchant for high-end clothing and shoes, targeting stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Nordstrom, and Nordstrom Rack. The suspect was arrested outside her home where hundreds of stolen items valued at over $100,000 were discovered.
Las Vegas Police Recover $100K in Stolen Items; Suspect Later Taken by ICE
A man accused of buying stolen merchandise and reselling it in Las Vegas was arrested, only to be taken into custody by ICE the next day. The suspect allegedly purchased stolen property from thieves targeting retail stores, then sold the items at discounted prices at a local swap meet. Search warrants uncovered $100,280 worth of shoes, purses, designer clothes, toys, and over-the-counter medications.
Counterfeit Goods
$30M in Counterfeit Jewelry Seized by Louisville CBP
US Customs and Border Protection officers in Louisville intercepted a shipment containing more than 7,000 pairs of counterfeit earrings. The shipment was arriving from Hong Kong and was heading to a person’s residence in Miami. Officers inspected the shipment, which was manifested as a “metal necklace” and weighed 56 pounds, discovering 7,319 pairs of earrings. The earrings were deemed to bear unauthorized versions of Van Cleef and Arpels trademarks. Had these goods been genuine, the shipment would have had a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $30.37 million.
Police Seize More Than $6M Worth of Counterfeit Designer Handbags and Jewelry
Two men are facing counterfeiting charges for allegedly selling designer knockoff handbags, jewelry, and other goods from their store in Miami. The estimated street value of the seized goods is between $6 million and $7 million. Dozens of knockoff versions of Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci, Fendi, Yves Saint Laurent, and other designer handbags were displayed in the store. The counterfeit items were described as “superfakes” that so closely resemble the original products that most shoppers would not recognize the difference.
Over $6M in Counterfeit Luxury Watches Seized at O’Hare Airport
Customs officers at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport confiscated over $6 million in fake designer watches. The counterfeit watches—bearing the names and logos of designer brands such as Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Richard Mille—arrived at O’Hare in a shipment from China. Officials said a total of 243 counterfeit watches were inside the seized shipment. Had they been genuine, they would have had a combined retail value of more than $6.64 million.
$4.2M in Fake Cartier Watches Seized by Indianapolis CBP
US Customs and Border Protection officers in Indianapolis seized a shipment containing designer counterfeit watches. If the watches—which came from Hong Kong—had been genuine, they would have been worth more than $4 million. Officers seized a shipment, headed to New York, which contained 30 luxury brand watches. The watches bore unauthorized versions of Cartier’s trademark, which is a federally protected trademark.
Multiple Defendants Charged in ORC Conspiracy Involving Returns Of Counterfeit Electronic Goods
A federal grand jury has charged seven defendants who allegedly engaged in a scheme to steal genuine brand name consumer electronics products. Under the scheme, the defendants allegedly purchased iPad tablets and AirPod earphones from a major retailer. The defendants then returned to the same retailer counterfeit versions bearing the brand name’s trademarks and serial numbers that matched the iPad tablets and AirPod earphones previously purchased from that retailer to obtain the original purchase value back. The indictment also alleges that the defendants exported the genuine iPad tablets and AirPod earphones to China.
4 Michigan Men Accused of Selling Hundreds of Thousands in Counterfeit Fragrances
Charges were filed against four men accused of selling hundreds of thousands of dollars in knock-off fragrances in what is being called the largest counterfeit retail product bust in the state’s history. Walmart and Amazon contacted the DA’s office to ask for their help in investigating a seller on their marketplace, after a number of fragrance brands filed complaints. Officials allege one suspect sold more than $1 million worth of counterfeit products as a third-party seller on the website. Police also seized more than 300 boxes of the fake goods in a search of his home. During the investigation, authorities tracked down a second suspect, where they seized more than 100,000 boxes of the counterfeit fragrances.
For Those Interested in Learning More
August was a 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. Click on the links to explore some of these events:
Bay Area Retail Thieves in 200 Home Depot Heists Face Prison
A bold retail theft ring targeted Home Depot stores more than 200 times in multiple counties across the greater Bay Area. The thieves made away with more than $90,000 worth of tools between January and April.
ORC Investigation Nets $80K in Stolen Property
Detectives with the Amarillo Police Department’s Theft and Burglary Squad served a search warrant where detectives found about $80,000 worth of stolen retail goods. Photos of the recovered property show a variety of tools and equipment among the items.
Philadelphia Trio Charged in $51K Home Depot Theft Spree
Three men are charged with multiple felonies related to thefts totaling more than $50,000, targeting higher-value items like pressure washers, air conditioners, battery starter kits, chainsaws, and Shark vacuum cleaners. Officers executed search and arrest warrants, recovering stolen goods, $2,000 in cash, and illegal drugs.
Miami-Dade Couple Charged in $530K Counterfeit Soccer Apparel Scheme
A counterfeit operation in Miami-Dade County has been dismantled, resulting in the arrest of two individuals accused of selling fake brand name soccer apparel. Over 800 imitation major league soccer uniforms were discovered, putting the estimated total retail value of the seized goods at over $530,000.
Forsyth County Detectives Arrest 2 in Million-Dollar Counterfeit Merchandise Bust
Two people were arrested amid an investigation into counterfeit merchandise and trademark infringements. The searches reportedly yielded more than $1 million worth of counterfeit merchandise.
Pair Used Prop Money to Buy $160K in Rolexes, Diamond Chains at Boston Shop
Two men used wads of fake money to buy a haul of very real jewelry from a shop in Boston. The pair handed over $160,000 in cash—which detectives later determined had “In Prop We Trust” written on them—in exchange for two Rolex watches, two rose gold and diamond chains, and more. The deception was only discovered two days after the sale, when someone at the store ran the bills through a money counter. The suspects showed off jewelry identical to what was taken in Boston on social media, with one tagging the other and writing, “We made history bro.”
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