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 November, 2024.
Seven men accused of stealing $6.2 million in merchandise from several warehouses arrested by Grapevine PD
Seven men are behind bars, accused of planning multiple cargo heists that resulted in the theft of over $6 million worth of merchandise, police say. The investigation started with a warehouse burglary on May 13, 2024. Police said the men cut a hole in the bay door and were able to walk away with $500,000 worth of Ray-Ban glasses and Oculus virtual reality headsets. Suspects involved in the theft were tied to several similar theft operations, including two incidents in Coppell involving $2.54 million in cell phones and two incidents at the DFW Airport involving more than $3.49 million in cell phones. A release from Grapevine PD said the men were part of a crime ring that was involved in seven heists that involved “an elaborate criminal organization” that conducted meticulous planning, conducted counter surveillance using lookouts and targeted warehouses that store expensive electronic devices.
California cargo theft task force seizes $3.7 million in stolen beauty products
A California Highway Patrol task force dedicated to cargo theft has seized roughly $3.7 million worth of stolen beauty products near the southern border, authorities have announced. The bust was made by officers from the CHP’s Border Division Cargo Theft Interdiction Program with the value of the recovered goods estimated at $3.67 million. The CHP’s ORC units work alongside retailers across California to combat organized retail theft, working to recover stolen merchandise and bring those responsible to justice.
$3M worth of tampered gift cards found in Sacramento County
A joint operation of local and federal law enforcement agencies thwarted a multi-million-dollar gift card tampering operation in Sacramento County. An investigation was launched to learn about a gift card tampering operation that had already impacted more than 100 retail locations across eight California counties and surrounding states. Investigators discovered a gift card tampering and a shipping facility located in a Sacramento County hotel room. More than 7,000 tampered gift cards, estimated to be over $3 million in potential losses, were also seized. Four arrests were made in connection to the operation and two vehicles were impounded.
Investigation Breaks Up International $2M Organized Retail Theft Ring
An organized retail theft ring that allegedly was international in scope and resulted in more than $2 million in retail goods being stolen has been broken up by investigators in New York. The two-year operation allegedly involved stolen apparel from Psycho Bunny and designer handbags and accessories from Prada, Fendi and Louis Vuitton, as well as an array of cosmetics and beauty products. Organized crews were allegedly running the ring in New York City, Maryland and the Dominican Republic. The defendants allegedly sold stolen merchandise including makeup, perfume, beauty products, designer clothing and accessories, locally and abroad. Retail theft crews were said to have been instructed to steal specific merchandise from stores along the East Coast and directly from manufacturers’ warehouses. The operation allegedly also involved paying truck drivers to divert products bound for retailers from the manufacturers’ warehouses to locations that were under the defendants’ control. The stolen goods were then sold in New York through online advertisements and via a brick-and-mortar boutique in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
$1.4 million in stolen goods recovered in Riverside County raid
A months-long investigation into an organized retail crime ring ended with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department recovering 160 pallets of stolen merchandise — valued at about $1.4 million — from a warehouse. The Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station Special Enforcement Team had been investigating the trailer cargo theft ring since February and served a search warrant on the warehouse where deputies found pallets stacked high with stolen goods, including food and industrial-grade tools. A truck driver was detained during the search and arrested on suspicion of possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia. The investigation is ongoing.
Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagar’s Santo Tequila Trucks Hijacked in ‘Double Heist.’ Now $1M Worth of Tequila Is Missing
Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagar are reeling after their joint tequila business was involved in a devastating incident when two trucks carrying their Santo Tequila bottles went missing after being hijacked in Laredo, Texas. The trucks were transporting 440 cases of tequila, or 24,240 bottles. The total loss is estimated to be about $1 million, with the effects on their supply chain to be even greater. One truck was expected to arrive at a warehouse in California and the other to one in Pennsylvania, but neither arrived at their destination. It was discovered that the loads had been “illegally double brokered” to different carriers, according to the report. Data analytics from CargoNet project that cargo theft has reached an all-time high in 2024 and will be over 25 percent higher than in 2023 with hard liquor like Santo is being targeted “almost exclusively.”
East Coast couple arrested in Minnesota, part of ring that took Lululemon for $1M in thefts
An East Coast couple has been arrested and charged in Ramsey County (Minnesota) with being part of a theft operation suspected of stealing roughly $1 million in goods across several states from the high-end women’s athletic wear retailer Lululemon. A retail crime investigator reported that the suspects and an unidentified accomplice stole 45 items worth nearly $5,000 from the Lulelemon in Rosedale Center. A police search of a Bloomington hotel room where the couple had been staying turned up 12 suitcases with $50,000 worth of Lululemon attire, with price tags still attached. The Lululemon investigator claims that the suspects began stealing in Minnesota from the retailer in September, hitting stores in Edina, Minneapolis and Minnetonka. The investigator also tied the suspects to similar thefts in Colorado, Utah, Connecticut and New York. The total cost to Lululemon for the crimes of the suspects and others in their ring “so far is closer to $1 million,” the charges read.
4 accused of taking part in crime ring that hit stores with ‘flash mob’ robberies
Four men have been indicted and accused of taking part in an organized crime ring that prosecutors say is responsible for stealing about $800,000 worth of merchandise from retail stores across six jurisdictions in Maryland. The men are linked to at least 37 organized retail crimes at retailers, including Sunglass Hut, Ulta Beauty, LensCrafters, Perfumania, GameStop and Dick’s Sporting Goods. The crime ring typically committed thefts by overwhelming store workers with a “rapid, flash mob style tactic.” During the thefts, multiple people would enter a store, fill bags or their arms with as much merchandise as they could and flee. Then members of the crime ring would sell the items in person or by posting them online.
TBI warns of Venezuelan gang resurfacing across state
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) issued a warning about the resurgence of a Venezuelan gang throughout the state’s major cities, including in Memphis. TBI Director David Rausch says the Venezuelan gang “Tren De Aragua,” or “TDA,” is behind human trafficking rings, drug trade and organized retail theft cross the state of Tennessee. The gang first popped up in the state two years ago. Many members were arrested and others fled to other states prior to resurfacing in Tennessee. Rausch added that this is not just a Tennessee problem. He said the gang is behind criminal activity across the entire country. $12 million in rewards has been offered for the arrests of three leaders.
Alabama Dollar General theft ring busted
The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office was recently contacted about a possible Organized Retail Theft ring that involved a Dollar General Store located in Grand Bay, Alabama. The Dollar General Store opened on March 26, 2023. The first year and a half of operation, inventory audit revealed the store had lost at least $385,246.05 worth of inventory. In response countless hours of video was reviewed that identified five (5) people believed to be involved with this crime. Mobile County Sheriff’s Office has arrested these individuals and additional arrests could follow. Two of the suspects arrested were employed by Dollar General. The investigation is ongoing.
D.A. Price Charges Coliseum Flea Market Vendors in Organized Retail Theft Case
The Alameda County District Attorney announced three people have been charged in connection with multiple organized retail theft crimes stemming from a sophisticated criminal enterprise operating at the Oakland Coliseum Flea Market. It is alleged that the trio of vendors possessed stolen property valued at $348,466 from nine different retailers, including Kohl’s, Macy’s, PetSmart, Sephora, Sunglass Hut, TJX, Target, Walgreens, and Walmart. “For over a year, this enterprise supported criminal networks by requesting and buying specific products from brazen boosters who repeatedly terrorized retailers,” said District Attorney Pamela Price.
3 Maryland suspects charged for international theft ring
Federal authorities and local police nabbed three suspects, charged in connection with internationally trafficking products stolen from several businesses across the Washington, DC market. The products were then sold to countries as far as Honduras, raking-in over a million dollars for the suspects. It’s an organized retail theft ring investigators say has been operating around the greater DC-area since January 2021, targeting stores like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target and Ulta. Overall, investigators say around $270,000 worth of goods were stolen from retailers. The thieves were specifically targeting premium skincare products, vitamins, and cold or cough medicines, according to court documents. The suspects allegedly stored the stolen goods in their homes or storage spaces before shipping the products off to South American countries, including Honduras.
Miami-Dade woman accused of raking in $110K by stealing credit cards, selling stolen goods online
Police arrested a northwest Miami-Dade woman on nine felony charges for stealing victims’ credit cards, using them to buy more than $100,000 worth of items and then selling the items online. Police said she stole mailed credit cards intended for victims in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, as well as one in Kentucky. The suspect was seen on surveillance video at various retailers, using the stolen cards to buy goods. In another case, police said the suspect used a dead person’s identity to claim their credit card and apply for and receive an Amazon account. Police said the suspect sold the stolen items through Facebook.
Counterfeit Goods
NYPD busts $50 million ‘mothership’ of counterfeit goods during crackdown on fake merchandise
Inside what the NYPD called a “mothership” — a massive supplier of counterfeit goods was taken in a raid by police that was part of a crackdown on those pushing fake products on the street. What appeared to be designer goods in the haul found on Mott Street in Manhattan were actually cheap knockoffs. “Dior, Fendi, Chanel — you name it, everything was in there,” said NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry. “They have estimated it to be over $45 to 50 million just out of that one apartment which had three rooms in it.” Police said all of the counterfeit merchandise seized will be destroyed. The department said the raids came as a result of complaints from consumers and stores, especially as the holidays draw near.
Brothers plead guilty to selling $35M worth of counterfeit Viagra
Two brothers pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell and traffic counterfeit goods for selling counterfeit Viagra pills in a $35 million scheme. Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that the brothers worked together to distribute and sell counterfeit Viagra to convenience stores, knowing the pills were counterfeit. Beginning in January 2024 law enforcement intercepted a shipment of 19 bottles of counterfeit Viagra, which was being delivered to their business. After the delivery, more counterfeit Viagra was seized from a storage unit associated with the brothers. Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case with assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
CBP, Partners Seize More than $18 million in Fake Gibson Guitars in Largest Counterfeit Musical Instrument Seizure on Record
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers and Import Specialists assigned to the LA/Long Beach Seaport, in conjunction with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agents, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Investigators, and Gibson representatives, announced the seizure of over 3,000 counterfeit Gibson guitars with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price, had they been genuine, of $18,742,820. CBP officers in coordination with HSI special agents and LASD investigators intercepted the suspected cargo arriving in ocean containers from Asia. Gibson confirmed that the guitars intercepted were in fact counterfeit, noting than authentic Gibson guitars are made in the U.S.A. only.
Counterfeit Goods Worth €3-4 Billion Seized in the EU in 2023
Over 152 million counterfeit items, valued at approximately €3.4 billion, were intercepted in the European Union (EU) in 2023, according to a joint report by the European Commission (EC) and the EU Intellectual Property Office. This marks a 77% increase in the number of items seized compared to 2022, and a 68% increase in value. The surge is largely attributed to the rising number of internal market detentions, continuing a trend observed in recent years.
Luxury Deception Uncovered: Massive Haul of Fake Designer Bags Seized!
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of Wilmington have intercepted a shipment of counterfeit designer handbags, valued at over $151,000 if they had been genuine. The shipment, originating from China and destined for an address in Newark, Delaware, included 26 handbags purporting to represent high-end brands such as Chanel, Goyard, Gucci, Hermès, Loewe, and Louis Vuitton. In collaboration with trade experts at the Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Center of Excellence and Expertise, CBP conducted a thorough analysis of the handbags. Their expertise confirmed that the items were indeed counterfeit, leading to their official seizure.
For Those Interested in Learning More
November 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:
SFPD Arrests 8 Suspects in Organized Retail Theft
Several juvenile suspects entered a Walgreens store, concealed merchandise, ransacked the store, and assaulted an employee, resulting in a serious head injury. Through the diligent work of investigators and Walgreens Asset Protection, eight suspects were determined to have been involved in at least 23 organized retail crime incidents at various Walgreens locations in San Francisco, totaling over $84,000 in stolen merchandise. The suspects range from ages 12-18.
Austin Police Thwart ORC Ring, Four Suspects Charged Amid $57K Merchandise Recovery
Austin Police Department has netted several suspects linked to a string of high-value thefts. An investigation spearheaded by an ORC investigator from Victoria’s Secret who pinpointed three individuals tied to over a dozen theft incidents. Officers executed two search warrants, uncovering around 2,000 pieces of merchandise suspected to be stolen, at about $57,000 in value, and a stolen handgun.
Man accused of stealing $82k from Home Depot arrested by Utah strike force
A man accused of organized retail theft was arrested by Utah’s Crimes Against Statewide Economy Strike Force (CASE). According to the Utah Attorney General’s Office, the suspect is facing theft-related charges after more than $82,000 worth of Home Depot products were allegedly located in his motel room and van.
San Jose man accused of at least 113 retail thefts
A San Jose man suspected of retail thefts since March has been arrested following an investigation into 113 retail thefts that have taken place throughout San Jose. According to police, the suspect allegedly stole tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise from various retail businesses, including Home Depot, Lowe’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Target.
Arrest made in $35,000 retail theft operation
A man accused of stealing over $35,000 worth of merchandise from several stores and reselling it was arrested by the Citrus Heights Police Department. The suspect was arrested after a “detailed investigation” into numerous grand thefts across Sacramento County.
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.