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 December 2024.
Wizard of Oz ruby slippers involved in ORC incident become most valuable movie memorabilia ever sold
Following up on a July ORC story, The “ruby slippers” worn by Judy Garland in the classic 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz have sold at auction for $28 million, nearly 10 times the amount that was expected. Auctioneers described the slippers as the “Holy Grail of Hollywood memorabilia,” stating that the winning bid made them the most valuable item of film memorabilia ever sold at auction. The slippers were loaned out to Minnesota’s Judy Garland Museum and were stolen by a professional thief in 2005, who wrongly believed them to be covered in actual rubies. After failing to sell them to a fence, the thief then gave them to someone else, and it is not known what happened to the slippers for the next 13 years. In 2018, however, an FBI sting operation saw the item retrieved.
8 arrested in multi-million-dollar retail theft bust in Southern California
Eight suspects were arrested after authorities discovered several million dollars worth of stolen merchandise in a Southern California bust. According to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, booster crews stole the massive amount of merchandise from multiple retail stores in California, Nevada, and Arizona. Photos of the large bust showed a variety of stolen goods, including over-the-counter medication, cosmetic and beauty products, along with personal and hygiene items. Deputies discovered a large warehouse filled with boxes of stolen items. An exact dollar amount was not provided by LASD as the investigation continues. During the arrests, a stolen firearm and a large sum of U.S. cash were also found.
Wichita police have recovered $2 million in stolen items & cars since October
In a little over a month, Wichita police, with several neighboring law enforcement agencies, have recovered more than $2 million in stolen retail merchandise and nearly 100 vehicles. Established due to rising retail theft and low officer staffing, the initiative has been operating for 31 days, resulting in the recovery of $2.03 million in stolen items. This includes retail merchandise and 92 vehicles. The task force also seized 13 guns, 108 grams of meth, 28.5 grams of fentanyl, and 110 pills.
San Francisco DA charges pair in $300K smash-and-grab
Two people have been charged in connection with a smash-and-grab burglary that took place in San Francisco’s Union Square in October in which nearly $300,000 in luxury goods was stolen. According to prosecutors, the pair were among a group of at least 10 suspects involved in the burglary. Prosecutors said the group, who were all wearing masks and some wearing gloves, showed up in multiple vehicles. One of the vehicles was used to break the entrance to the store. Once the group gained access, the suspects ransacked the store and stole items before leaving less than a minute later. The group stole 66 bags worth more than $290,000. The thieves also caused about $250,000 in damage to the store.
South Bay thieves took orders from Facebook before stealing $200K in goods
A San Jose crew who took orders from Facebook and OfferUp before stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of construction materials from home improvement stores and delivering them to buyers has been arrested. The three suspects involved in the organized retail thefts face charges after authorities said they used online marketplaces to connect with buyers. The crew stole nearly $200,000 in paint, tape, and other construction materials from The Home Depot and Lowe’s Home Improvement stores over the span of months.
$150,000 worth of stolen merchandise discovered in Orange County retail theft bust
A Southern California man was arrested after police discovered $150,000 of stolen merchandise during a retail theft bust. Detectives working an undercover operation contacted the suspect to purchase stolen items listed through an online marketplace. The suspect was arrested at the scene. Inside his car, officers found around $54,000 worth of stolen merchandise from retail stores. Police also found counterfeit headphones. A search warrant led to the discovery of over $10,000 worth of stolen high-end products and designer fragrances, police said. Over $23,000 in cash was also located. There were reportedly even more stolen items found in a storage unit nearby. In total, police found around $150,000 worth of stolen goods.
Woman involved in Florida organized retail theft ring jailed in Palm Beach
A woman involved in an organized retail theft ring that has caused more than $100,000 in losses to businesses across Florida is being held in Palm Beach County Jail, authorities said. According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office investigation, the suspect stole from Walgreens, CVS, Ulta, and liquor stores across five counties. The suspect would enter the stores, hide merchandise in either a bag she brought in with her or one stolen from the business, and walk out with the stolen goods. She is the third arrest connected to the larger organized retail theft group, authorities said.
13 arrested in Utah in nationwide retail theft investigation
A nationwide retail theft investigation culminated with more than a dozen arrests in Orem, Utah. Police in Auburn Hills, Michigan, had sent out information regarding eight people suspected of stealing an estimated $20,000 worth of clothing. An Orem officer who saw the bulletin immediately recognized one of the suspects as matching a man wanted in connection with an attempted theft. A search warrant was obtained, and eight men, four women, and a boy were detained. During a search of the residence, approximately 20 large moving boxes were located, which all contained brand-new clothing from retailers such as American Eagle, Michael Kors, Victoria’s Secret, Gap, Coach, and Zumiez. The value of all of these items is expected to exceed $100,000. Investigators believe the clothing was about to be sent to Laredo, Texas, where it was taken to Mexico as part of a nationwide retail theft operation.
CHP arrests 100+ suspects during statewide holiday retail theft blitz
In the final days of the holiday season, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the California Highway Patrol (CHP), in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, successfully conducted a statewide enforcement operation targeting organized retail crime. On Friday, December 20, CHP and local police departments carried out Operation Holiday Watch in communities throughout California – resulting in 117 arrests, the recovery of over $38,000 in stolen merchandise, the seizure of two illegal firearms, and the recovery of three stolen vehicles. Expected charges range from petty theft and grand theft to organized retail crime.
Counterfeit Goods
$81.5 Million in Unapproved Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems seized by Chicago CBP
During the last 12 months, U.S. Customs and Border Protections (CBP) officers in Chicago made 121 seizures containing over 3.2 million prohibited Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) products with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of more than $81.5 million. Almost all the shipments originated from China and were destined to locations across the U.S. Some IPR violations concerned used unauthorized trademarks associated with pop icons. By copying these well-known marks, the seller targeted teens and younger adults, hoping to persuade them to purchase their counterfeited items.
$18 Million in Earrings, Necklaces, Bracelets & Watches seized by Louisville CBP
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Louisville seized four shipments containing 962 pieces of counterfeit designer watches, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. The shipments arrived from Hong Kong and China. When CBP officers examined the shipments to determine the admissibility of the goods, they found 459 bracelets displaying the logos of Cartier, Chanel, Fendi, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Van Cleef and Arpels, 43 pairs of earrings with Van Cleef and Arpels and Cartier logos, 20 necklaces with Van Cleef and Arpels logos, and 440 watches bearing the Rolex logo. The shipment was heading to residences in Arizona, Virginia, Florida, and New York, and had the items been real, the MSRP for these products would have been $18.81 million.
Mother and son plead guilty to dealing counterfeit goods
Federal court documents say a mother and son were allegedly selling several designer items at a fraction of the price, but what looked like Louis Vuitton or Gucci was anything but. Court documents detail how the mother-and-son duo allegedly sold counterfeit designer goods in a Laredo, Texas business, mimicking high-end brands. HSI executed a search warrant, seizing 346 counterfeit items of merchandise totaling approximately $600k.
Officers seize $500,000 in fake merchandise from east side Indianapolis store
Indiana State Excise Police seized thousands of counterfeit items worth an estimated $500,000 from a local flea market. Merchandise seized included purses, jackets, wallets, belts, watches, sunglasses, shoes, hats, shirts, pants, and cell phone cases. The items were imitations of name-brand merchandise from Nike, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Gucci, North Face, Ugg, Coach, Oakley, Prada, Polo, Otterbox, and Hermes. The counterfeits also included items from major sports leagues, including the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB. In addition, excise officers seized unlicensed copies of movies on DVD.
For Those Interested in Learning More
December 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:
ORC unit files new criminal prosecution against three defendants
The Washington State Attorney General’s Office charged three suspects with organized retail theft in Snohomish County Superior Court, alleging they stole at least $48,878 worth of merchandise during more than 50 separate thefts. The three engaged in a “double-dipping” scheme where they purchased flooring and home improvement products for their business from Home Depots, then returned to the stores with the receipts to steal additional merchandise matching their original purchase. If questioned, they would show the receipt from the original purchase to get out of the store with the unpaid merchandise.
Owner of pawn shop in Pacoima accused of selling merchandise from retail thefts
Authorities arrested a pawn shop owner in Pacoima for buying and selling products that were stolen by organized retail criminals. Police said the store operated as a “fence” location that knowingly bought and sold stolen goods. More than $20,000 worth of suspected stolen merchandise, which was traced back to major retailers like Target and JCPenney, were recovered.
Your input and support can help send a critical message. If you have an ORC case that you would like to submit for the monthly round-up, please forward an email to us at editor@losspreventionmedia.com.