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 March 2025.
7 Charged in $20M Money Laundering Scheme Using Home Improvement Retail Stores Across New York
Seven individuals have been arrested on money laundering and conspiracy charges after a 15-month investigation into an organized scheme to use fraudulently obtained Home Depot and Lowe’s gift cards to purchase merchandise at dozens of retail locations across New York and resell the items to local businesses in New York City. This sophisticated $20 million scheme laundered the funds from fraudulently obtained Home Depot and Lowe’s gift cards at stores throughout the Northeast. Search warrants recovered enough products to fill 12 box trucks, $100,000 in cash, and several of the defendants’ vans with merchandise still inside. The investigation remains ongoing.
DEA Finds $5M of Meth Hidden in Cases of Blueberries Near Texas Border
The DEA made a major drug bust near the southern border, seizing nearly $5 million worth of meth. The drugs were shipped from Mexico to Texas and were going to be distributed in the U.S. 1,500 pounds of crystal meth were stashed in cases of blueberries, discovered at a warehouse in McAllen, Texas. The DEA says the drugs came from a part of southern Mexico and were headed to Atlanta before making their way to other cities in the southeast.
L.A. Task Force Recovers $4M Worth of Goods from Target, Macy’s, and More
Seven suspects have been arrested and $4 million worth of stolen property was recovered during a major bust by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Organized Retail Crimes Task Force. The goods were stolen from 17 retail stores, including Target, Ulta Beauty, Nordstrom, and Macy’s. In February, task force detectives worked with the retailers to go after organized shoplifters and people selling the products. The department said the goods were stolen by booster crews, taken to locations in Los Angeles and South Gate, and then sold to various fencing operations. A multi-location search warrant operation led to the arrests and recovery of the goods.
2 Arrested after $2M Worth of Merchandise Is Stolen from Cargo Containers
Two people were arrested after officials investigated $2 million worth of merchandise stolen from cargo containers, according to the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division, SWAT team, and other agencies assisted the Union Pacific Railroad Police in search warrants in two locations in Southaven, Mississippi. Among the items recovered were over $30,000 worth of Milwaukee Tools, a stolen Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a stolen Can-Am Renegade ATV, and a Glock pistol equipped with a machine gun conversion device. Additional charges or arrests may come as the investigation continues.
$1.2M in Stolen Tobacco Products Recovered in Bay Area
Following multiple thefts at a local business, more than $1.2 million of stolen property has been recovered, but police are still searching for the suspect. Property stolen from a tobacco warehouse was found in the Bay Area, along with other illegally purchased tobacco products. The crimes spanned three months, leading to thefts and damage to the warehouse. One of the vehicles rammed the fence with several subjects exiting the vehicles, going inside the business, and grabbing boxes. Surveillance video captured the burglars with semi-automatic handguns grabbing boxes filled with cigarettes. Investigators have identified a primary suspect in the case and are still working to find him.
Arrest Made in Organized Retail Theft of $779K Worth of Merchandise
A suspect connected to a large organized retail theft ring in the Bay Area has been arrested. The investigation discovered that various businesses across the Bay Area were being targeted. The stolen merchandise recovered was valued at a total of more than $779,000, according to CHP. The investigation led to the discovery of a fencing operation based in Oakland. CHP did not specify which stores the merchandise was stolen from. A retail crime task force executed a search warrant at an Oakland residence and two facilities where authorities found the stolen merchandise and later recovered the items. A 41-year-old Oakland woman was arrested in connection to the retail theft.
Southern California Woman Charged after Police Seize Over $350K Worth of Stolen Merchandise
A Southern California woman was arrested and charged after police seized over $350,000 worth of stolen merchandise in a massive retail theft bust. Police were investigating a retail theft case when a search warrant was served at a store operated by the suspect. Inside the store, police discovered a large stockroom lined with shelves that were filled with stolen merchandise. Photos of the bust showed a massive collection of beauty and healthcare products, skincare items, sneakers, clothing, tumblers, accessories, and more. The merchandise had been stolen from retailers including Ross, TJ Maxx, Macy’s, Target, CVS, Walgreens, and Kroger.
2 Adults, Teen Charged for Stealing $190K Worth of High-End Fragrances from Ulta Beauty
Police departments in Virginia and Maryland arrested two adults and a teenager after they allegedly stole over $190,000 in a string of organized retail robberies. The suspects would rob Ulta Beauty stores with a plan to steal expensive perfume, mapping out the locations they would hit and planning to get away across jurisdictions. The suspects were armed with heavy-duty hammers while wearing masks and gloves. Officers used license plate readers to track the suspects’ cars, which included AI that tracked the make, model, and color of the cars. The suspects used multiple stolen vehicles and swapped out multiple tags.
Trio Accused of Stealing $143K in Cosmetics Across King County
The Renton, Washington Police Department arrested a trio for a shoplifting spree that’s suspected of being part of an organized retail theft operation throughout King County, resulting in over $143,000 in lost cosmetic products. The trio is suspected of stealing high-end fragrances and cosmetics. In various instances, the suspects would allegedly enter Ulta Beauty stores either with shopping bags already in their hands or they would retrieve shopping bags from cross-body bags and then place products inside before leaving without offering payment. Documents state that the suspects would steal various makeup products, creams, and fragrances.
Suspect Uses Hammer to Steal Over $140K Worth of Otems from JCPenney
A suspect has been arrested after repeatedly using a hammer as a shopping tool at JCPenney in Salinas. According to police, the suspect stole $145,000 in items after using the hammer to smash through glass displays. After multiple smash-and-grab heists were recently committed by the suspect, the Organized Retail Theft teams and some loss prevention officers were able to track down the suspect and make an arrest.
2 California Men Arrested in Scheme Targeting Gift Cards Sold in Michigan Supermarkets
Two people who live in California have been charged in connection with a scheme to empty out gift cards sold at Metro Detroit Meijer supermarket stores. Around 3,000 gift cards were found as officers investigated the scheme. The cards are tampered with so that the redemption numbers are read and recorded by scanners. The numbers are then concealed again to appear as if the cards are brand new. The scammers then return the altered gift cards to their original intended retail point of sale and use computer programs to monitor when any card is activated with a balance of funds. As soon as a shopper places a balance on the card, the scammer is able to transfer the balance into another digital account.
Suspected Stolen Goods Seized at 3 Businesses During Investigation by Portland Police
Thousands of dollars’ worth of suspected stolen goods were seized during an investigation into organized retail theft, according to the Portland Police Bureau. According to police, the investigation uncovered trafficking of suspected stolen goods through a variety of means, including buying stolen in-box goods, and gift cards obtained by returning stolen goods, and reselling them on eBay and Amazon. More than 1,000 pieces of evidence were seized, including $14,000 in cash, gold, silver, and many high-dollar, new in-box items. Investigators are also looking at numerous bank accounts belonging to the suspects.
Organized Retail Theft Unit Nabs Man Using Stolen Credit Cards for $100K
A Lehigh County man has been charged with numerous crimes for using stolen credit cards to purchase about $100,000 in merchandise from Lowe’s stores in over a dozen Pennsylvania counties. Lowe’s reported that the suspect has been using stolen store credit cards to purchase items, such as flooring, air conditioning units, vacuums, and other items. In some cases, he also used fraudulent identification to pose as the person who owned the credit card. In all, at least 23 Lowe’s stores in over a dozen counties across the state were targeted, involving approximately $96,000 in goods. The investigation is ongoing.
Counterfeit Goods
Amazon Seized More Than 15 Million Counterfeit Products in 2024
Amazon continued its fight against counterfeit goods by using artificial intelligence tools, seeing that counterfeiters are held liable and increasing the use of its brand protection features. The company’s AI tools stopped more than 99 percent of suspected infringements before a brand had to find and report them. These tools have also enabled the company to reduce by 35 percent the number of valid notices of infringement submitted by brands, even as the number of products available in its store has continued to grow. Since the launch of its Counterfeit Crimes Unit in 2020, Amazon has taken action against more than 24,000 bad actors. In 2024, Amazon also identified, seized, and disposed of more than 15 million counterfeit products.
Sesame Workshop Files Lawsuit to Keep Amazon, Walmart, eBay From Selling Allegedly Counterfeit Toys
Sesame Workshop has filed a lawsuit against sellers on e-commerce sites like eBay, Walmart, and Amazon in an effort to stop the sale of allegedly counterfeit merchandise—or else pay $150,000 per infringed work. The parent company of Sesame Street also named AliExpress, eCRATER, MadeInChina, and Temu as examples of how these so-called alias store operators are able to function in their copyright lawsuit. Sesame Workshop specifically named characters Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Grover, Bert, and Ernie as the main victims of this alleged racket.
Indianapolis CBP Intercepts Delivery Loaded with Phony Jewelry
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Indianapolis have seized a shipment containing inauthentic designer jewelry. The shipment contained 148 pieces of knock-off bracelets, necklaces, and earrings bearing luxury designers’ protected trademarks including Cartier, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany. The shipment arrived from a company in China and was headed to a residence in Nashville, Tennessee. The items were seized for infringing on the designer’s protected trademarks recorded with CBP for border enforcement. Had the items been genuine the combined Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price for these products would have been $4.62 million.
CBP Seizes $3.5M Worth of Counterfeit Luxury Jewelry in One Consignment Sent from China to Puerto Rico
US Customs and Border Protection officers seized a shipment containing fake designer jewelry worth 3.5 million, had it been genuine. The consignment originated from China and was destined for a residence in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. The package contained 660 jewelry items such as rings, bracelets, and necklaces, which resembled the well-known luxury brand Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” line.
For Those Interested in Learning More
March 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:
Woman Charged With Stealing $56K in Goods from San Francisco Retailers
A woman is accused of stealing more than $56,000 in merchandise from San Francisco retailers, according to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.
Police Stop Thieves from Making Off With $55K Worth of Beef
Police stopped thieves from walking away with all the beef in an attempted cargo theft in South Philadelphia. There were 185 boxes full of beef worth about $55,000.
Maine Police Arrest 3 From New York for $32K in Retail Thefts
Three people from New York have been arrested in Maine, suspected of stealing approximately $32,000 worth of over-the-counter medications and beauty products. The suspects were also wanted for allegedly committing similar crimes in California and New Jersey.
Customs Officers Seize Nearly $30K Worth of Counterfeit Skin Creams
CBP officers in Allentown seized four shipments of counterfeit brand name skin creams and Sharpie pens worth nearly $30,000. All of the parcels were shipped from China. Officials say knockoff skin creams pose a serious health threat to consumers, as some may contain chemicals known to cause cancer and other health issues. Various levels of urine and other dangerous substances have been found in counterfeit cosmetics in the past.
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