Mobile Shrink: The Newest LP Challenge
Just when Loss Prevention (LP) professionals thought they've identified every point-of-loss to battle, technology has introduced mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) to the world of retail. This has caused some LP professionals to scramble a bit to create stopgaps until they can wrap their arms around this relatively new method of retail operation. Those who have had the fortune of building a career within retail are accustomed to the ebb and flow of the industry. Many years will pass in which retail processes become stagnant, then suddenly the daily business-as-usual exercises are instantly replaced with the newest, edgiest movement designed to increase sales while remaining competitive. However, rarely does a new flavor-of-retail directly impact Loss Prevention initiatives. Read more in today's Solutions Spotlight column below.

Agilence Announces 20/20 Grocery to Accelerate Data-Driven Strategies for Supermarkets and Grocers
Agilence, Inc., the leader in cloud-based data analytics for store performance and loss prevention, today announced software designed to support the specific needs of supermarkets and grocers with the release of 20/20 Grocery.

Built on the foundation of Agilence's industry leading 20/20 Data Analytics platform, 20/20 Grocery was designed with input from grocers who are part of the Agilence Customer Community. Along with a need to meet the specific challenges faced by grocers, there was also a need for a broader operational reporting solution that can help stores improve their performance and efficiencies. With 20/20 Grocery, every user from C-level executives to store managers is given the freedom to be a power user, gaining insights into business information, operational improvements, and loss events. prnewswire.com

RLPSA Announces Emmitt Smith to be Keynote Speaker for 2018 Annual Conference in Dallas, TX
The Restaurant Loss Prevention & Security Association (RLPSA) is proud to announce that Pro Football Hall of Fame Running Back Emmitt Smith will be the keynote speaker for the organization's 39th annual conference. Emmitt is the National Football League's all-time leading rusher, a three-time Super Bowl champion, and a member of the 2010 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But RLPSA is highlighting Smith for reasons beyond his stellar career in football.

"Emmitt Smith is a highly-successful business person with a wide variety of ventures under Emmitt Smith Enterprises, including ESmith Legacy, EJSmith Construction, Emmitt Smith Brand Marketing, and the company's philanthropic arm, Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities," said Rocco Prate, Board President of RLPSA. "We want this year's attendees to experience the unique perspective of this highly motivational, entrepreneurial powerhouse."

The RLPSA conference is the only event dedicated to the restaurant industry that focuses squarely on loss prevention and safety. With more than 300 attendees typically in attendance, 2018 is projected to be the largest conference to date. The 39th annual conference will be held from August 5 - 8, 2018 in Dallas, Texas at the Hyatt Regency downtown. For more information about RLPSA's Annual Conference, click here.

Former Pilot Exec: CEO Haslam 'Loved' Trucking Rip-Off Scheme
Pilot Flying J Chief Executive Officer Jimmy Haslam not only knew one of his vice presidents was ripping off truckers but "loved it," jurors heard a subordinate claim Tuesday in a secret recording.

Former Pilot Flying J vice president of sales John "Stick" Freeman said both Haslam and Pilot Flying J president Mark Hazelwood knew about the scheme.

"(Expletive)," Freeman said. "I mean, I called Jimmy and told him I got busted at Western Express ... He knew - absolutely. I mean, (Haslam) knew all along that I was cost-plussin' (code for the fraud scheme) this guy. He knew it all along. Loved it. We were making $450,000 a month on (Western Express)."

Haslam has denied any knowledge of the fraud scheme and is not charged. After the day's testimony, the company reissued a statement saying: "As we have said from the outset, Jimmy Haslam was not aware of any wrongdoing." knoxnews.com

Beach Houses - Taylor Swift - A $110K Yacht
The Details Behind Mattress Firm's Real Estate Fraud Lawsuit
Multi-Million Dollar Kickback Scheme
What do a $100K fishing yacht, shell corporations and Taylor Swift have in common? They all are allegedly involved in the massive fraud and bribery scheme Mattress Firm claims was carried out by two of its former executives and its national retail broker.

The Houston-based mattress retailer is suing the former heads of its real estate division, Bruce Levy and Ryan Vinson, along with former Colliers International Atlanta retail executive Alexander Deitch and a handful of developers, claiming they conspired to defraud the company of tens of millions of dollars.

In the lawsuit, filed late last month in Harris County, Texas, Mattress Firm alleged the cohort was responsible for leases signed for above-market prices, then conspired to sell the properties where the company's new locations opened for substantial profits. It claims Deitch and Levy secretly owned stakes with the developers that owned some of the properties, and used their control of Mattress Firm's real estate decisions to profit personally from the sales.

In the suit, Mattress Firm details a slew of alleged kickbacks and payoff schemes with a group of developers, including Nashville-based Oldacre McDonald, which gave the trio trips on a private jet and tickets to sporting events. Oldacre McDonald principal John McDonald also allegedly co-purchased with Levy and Deitch a four-bedroom, 2,766 SF waterfront home in Summerland Key, Florida, for $1.6M, as well as co-invested in a $110K Crevalle fishing yacht.

The trio also invested $500K in a company McDonald owned, called Heritage 66 Co. The Nashville-based company sold the branded apparel of a "popular, American female recording artist" in China, according to the lawsuit. Thomas confirmed the artist was Taylor Swift. bisnow.com

Court Orders Glassdoor to Reveal Reviewers' Identities
A Nov. 8 court order requiring Glassdoor to reveal the identities of eight users in response to a grand jury subpoena in a wire fraud case may have a chilling effect on Internet free speech, an employment attorney says.

Glassdoor operates Glassdoor.com, a website where employers can promote their companies to potential workers and employees can anonymously post reviews of what it's like to work at their companies.

It is "particularly concerning" if Internet users who believe they can have anonymous online discussions have their anonymity compromised by a mere subpoena, said Jadzia Butler, an attorney with Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C., which filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case. Some employees use the platform to report managers' or co-workers' problematic behavior. Without their identities' being kept confidential, they may be less likely to do so. That's bad for the employer, which could have been made aware of things it did not know were happening, she said. shrm.org

More and more stores are staying closed on Thanksgiving and Black Friday
More well-known retailers than ever will be closing their brick-and-mortar stores all or most of Thanksgiving Day, with some opting to close on Black Friday as well.

"I'm expecting 70 to 80 stores to close on Thanksgiving, with key stores this year to include Home Depot, Nordstrom, Staples, Sam's Club, Costco and (likely) Lowe's. There's also speculation on some Black Friday websites about other retailers yet to announce," said online shopping expert Brent Shelton. today.com

List of Stores Closed On Thanksgiving Day 2017

List of Stores Open On Thanksgiving Day 2017 & Hours

Amazon's Cashierless Store Is Almost Ready for Prime Time
For the past year, Amazon employees have been test driving Amazon Go, an experimental convenience store in downtown Seattle. The idea is to let consumers walk in, pick up items and then pay for them without ever standing in line at a cashier. Amazon is vague on the mechanics, but the store relies on a mobile app and some of the same sensing technology that powers self-driving cars to figure out who is buying what.

Employees have tried to fool the technology. One day, three enterprising Amazonians donned bright yellow Pikachu costumes and cruised around grabbing sandwiches, drinks and snacks. The algorithms nailed it, according to a person familiar with the situation, correctly identifying the employees and charging their Amazon accounts, even though they were obscured behind yellow polyester. bloomberg.com

Vitamin World Seeks Approval to Shutter 124 Stores
Vitamin World Inc. has hired Gordon Brothers Retail Partners LLC to immediately start going-out-of-business sales at 124 stores in more than 30 states. The closing sales will start on or about Nov. 21 and end no later than Jan. 28, according to terms of the deal filed with the court. When Vitamin World filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in September, it had 334 stores. wsj.com

Director of Asset Protection for Living Spaces - based in Rialto, CA
The Director of Asset Protection will be responsible for the development of a high performance inventory control process and department that supports the company's service commitment to its customers. The team serves both internal and external customers by ensuring inventory accuracy and providing insights to opportunities preventing loss or risk of loss. This position is responsible for the monitoring and managing inventory loss and gains from receipt to customer. This requires working interdepartmentally with business partners to drive results. The Director Inventory Control/Asset Protection will be based at the Rialto, CA Distribution Center and will report to the Chief Financial Officer.

Living Spaces Furniture, LLC owns and operates furniture stores in California, Arizona and Nevada. The company also sells furniture and other products online. peopleanswers.com

Director Global Security Programs & Strategy - Starbucks job posting taken down

Director LP Technology - Ross Stores job posting taken down

Millions of Customers Tricked by Mind-Boggling Black Friday Offers

NRF Big Show Advance Rate Registration Deadline is Friday

October Retail Sales Up 4.3% Over Last Year


Quarterly Results
The Children's Place Q3 comp's up 5.1%, net sales up 3.4%
Target Q3 comp's up 0.9%, sales up 1.4%
Dick's Sporting Goods Q3 comp's down 0.9%, net sales up 7.4%
Sally Beauty Q4 comp's down 1.4%, net sales down 0.2%; full-yr comp's down 0.7%, net sales down 0.4%

 

Mobile Shrink: The Newest LP Challenge

By Hilbert Dijkstra, Director of Product Management, Nedap Retail Americas

Just when Loss Prevention (LP) professionals thought they've identified every point-of-loss to battle, technology has introduced mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) to the world of retail. This has caused some LP professionals to scramble a bit to create stopgaps until they can wrap their arms around this relatively new method of retail operation. Those who have had the fortune of building a career within retail are accustomed to the ebb and flow of the industry. Many years will pass in which retail processes become stagnant, then suddenly the daily business-as-usual exercises are instantly replaced with the newest, edgiest movement designed to increase sales while remaining competitive. However, rarely does a new flavor-of-retail directly impact Loss Prevention initiatives.

Studying the Study
In a recent study published by University of Leicester's Department of Criminology, and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Professor Adrian Beck and Dr. Matt Hopkins set out to explore how the advancement of mobile scanning technologies within retail might impact shrink. According to the study, "the primary focus was to identify current developments in mobile scanning technologies in the retail space; to understand how allowing customers to use their own personal mobile phones to scan and pay for items could impact upon shrinkage and also identify how crime prevention might be integrated into these systems."

Is shrink-by-mPOS a major concern? The fact that academia chose to take on the topic for a sanctioned study affirmatively answers that question. As an LP professional, it is extremely difficult to imagine a world in which shoppers enter one of their stores, begins to scan merchandise with a personal smartphone, and then just walks out the door bypassing all traditional checkout registers. A shrink concern? Absolutely. And what did the university's study find? Quite a bit, actually.

What's the Buzz?
First, it is important to understand why retail executives are pushing forward on embracing mPOS within their respective companies. There are many benefits that lend themselves to customer loyalty and increased sales.

Read more here.

Fashion Retailer Forever 21 Reports Hacking of Payment Card Information
Fashion retailer Forever 21 said on Tuesday there had been unauthorized access to data from payment cards used at certain of its stores. The company said the results were part of an investigation it started after it received a third-party report suggesting the unauthorized access.

The Los Angeles, Calif. based company said the probe was focused on transactions made at its stores between March and October this year, and that since the investigation was ongoing, it could not give complete findings.

Forever 21 said only certain point of sale devices in certain stores were affected when the encryption on those devices was not operating. The company, which operates more than 815 stores in 57 countries, did not say which of its stores were affected. fortune.com

Network glitch disrupts Rx refills at CVS
System outages at CVS Health pharmacies are due to an "internal network infrastructure issue," non-executive Chairman David Dorman told CNBC on Wednesday. The cause is not known yet, he said.

Dorman said top management notified him about the network issue after customers around the nation complained about not being able to refill their medications. Customers have taken to social media to speak out about their complaints. cnbc.com

Cybersecurity Threats - And What To Do About Them
Cyberattacks can't be entirely avoided, but careful preparation and effective data security can lower the likelihood of a successful attack, improve the response, and lower the resulting costs. Covering the fundamentals is essential.

● A documented, company-wide security program. Designate a responsible official and develop policies addressing crucial security issues faced by your company. Train employees regularly on emerging threats, develop procedures for regularly identifying and remedying vulnerabilities, and establish - and exercise - an incident response plan. These measures protect companies not only from breach, but also from the wrath of regulators and the public who have (understandably) grown to expect companies to implement them. Recent regulatory settlements with Target and Home Depot require them to adopt written information security programs in addition to paying fines.

● Vendor and service provider security. Retailers increasingly rely upon vendors, embedded third party applications and technologies, and cloud services to process or host their most sensitive data, including payment and payroll information. To effectively address this risk, retailers should ensure that the relevant contracts appropriately allocate security-related risks and obligations and conduct appropriate due diligence regarding vendor and service provider security practices.

● Cybersecurity Insurance. Retailers face increasingly diverse, sophisticated, and well-resourced threat actors. Even the most developed cybersecurity program may not stop them all. Retailers should manage their risk with effective cybersecurity insurance coverage, relying on the advice of experienced counsel to identify the pitfalls and exceptions present in many cybersecurity policies. chainstoreage.com

Cyberthreats keep holiday shoppers off the web
About 30% of consumers surveyed by cybersecurity firm Sitelock say they do not plan to shop online this holiday season due to concerns about how well-protected online shopping sites are from security threats, according to a study emailed to Retail Dive.

That percentage is up about 10 points from last year, which Sitelock attributes to a lack of consumer confidence in retailer's cybersecurity protections - only 18% of those surveyed believe stores have the proper cybersecurity protections in place, per the report. retaildive.com

2017 Breaks Record for Most Security Vulnerabilities - Through Just 3 Quarters
There were some 16,006 vulnerabilities disclosed through September 30, which is more than all of 2016, when there were 15,832, according to new data published today by Risk Based Security. The number of bugs as of Q3 represents an increase of 38% over Q3 2016. According to Risk Based Security, that's 6,295 more security vulnerabilities than those reported in the CVE and National Vulnerability Database. darkreading.com

Being Hacked, Having Identity Stolen Top Americans' Feared Crimes List

Report: Microsoft Word Vulnerability Went Unnoticed for 17 Years

Top LP/AP Jobs in Canada Filled or Promoted in 2017

Update: Bread price-fixing investigation spurs two class-action lawsuits
Every Canadian who purchased bread since '01 could receive payout
Both suits could cover virtually everyone in the country (anyone who has bought packaged bread since 2001) and result in $1-billion plus in payouts. Penalties arising from the criminal investigation for price fixing could include fines of up to $10 million, five years in prison, or both.

The first class action was filed last week in Quebec Superior Court and names Loblaw, Weston, Canada Bread, Walmart, Sobeys and Metro. The second class action was filed with Ontario Superior Court of Justice last Wednesday, covers all Canadians, excluding residents of Quebec, and names Loblaw Companies, Sobeys, Metro, Walmart, Giant Tiger, Canada Bread, Weston Foods Canada and their parent corporations.  It alleges the defendants "conspired to fix the price of packaged bread in Canada since 2001. canadiangrocer.com

Ontario Takes 2nd Place Away From Texas for Cargo Theft in North America
Greater Toronto Area - The 'GTA' & Surrounding Communities Hottest Spot
Halton Crime Stoppers Launches Cargo Theft Awareness Campaign
California has been ranked the worst area for these thefts for a number of years. Ontario takes second position away from Texas. With the 'GTA' and surrounding communities the hottest spot.

Halton Regional Police and Crime Stoppers Launches Awareness Campaign
Cargo theft continues to be a major concern in the trucking industry and Halton Crime Stoppers is mounting a campaign with other Crime Stoppers programs to identify some of the people responsible for these heists. This is an extremely lucrative crime which nets criminals an estimated $5 billion a year.

At least one trailer load of goods is stolen every day with the cargo ranging from high priced electronics, alcohol or food products to candy, furniture and toilet paper.

The Halton Regional Police Service in conjunction with Crime Stoppers want to raise the public's awareness on this rising trend of organized cargo theft. Cargo theft has become a widespread and major challenge for transportation companies, the Insurance Bureau of Canada and GTA police agencies.

The awareness program being undertaken by various Crime Stoppers programs is designed to alert trucking companies and tractor trailer drivers along Canada's busiest transportation routes - Highway 401 and the Queen Elizabeth Way - that cargo theft continues to be a concern.

A promotional flyer that can be hung on the vehicle's rear view mirror tells drivers how to contact the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line if they have any information about cargo thefts or individuals responsible for these crimes. haltoncrimestoppers.ca

Intoxicated At Work? Impaired Safety Risks?
Employers brace for legal cannabis July 1, 2018 in B.C., liability issues
B.C. workers can expect a flurry of new workplace drug policies as the legalization of recreational cannabis nears and employers try to limit their liability and avoid court battles.

While rules requiring business owners to accommodate medical marijuana users are established, rules for dealing with users of legal, recreational marijuana are not.

Business owners want to know how to decide if an employee is impaired and a safety risk, how to prove an employee is intoxicated on cannabis and what that means when they discipline employees, Brown said.

"One of the biggest concerns that we have with cannabis legalization right now is that there is no objective method of measuring impairment," he said.

The Surrey Board of Trade has organized a panel discussion this Thursday on cannabis legalization in response to queries from employers about the potential impacts of this "fundamental change to Canadian law" on their businesses, according to CEO Anita Huberman.

Business owners are concerned about their ability to discipline employees whose job performance is affected by legal cannabis and the potential for human rights claims by employees who use cannabis for medical reasons, she said.

Top concerns are employee safety and the need for clear rules governing investigations and drug testing - including his employees' right to privacy - and how to prove impairment that is a safety concern. vancouversun.com

Former Calgary Police Chief Fighting Organized Crime Inside Pot Industry

Accenture survey: Concern about cybercrime limiting Canadians' use of online services

The Brick Shows Up Sears Canada With Hiring Fairs, Repair Offer

Two High-End Canadians Partnering to Fight U.S. Newcomers
Harry Rosen and Davids Footwear join for national expansion

Canadian Retail Industry Sees Strong Gains in 2017: Report

NB marijuana dispensaries to protest letters of notice from RCMP
Police giving owners two weeks to shut down

Amazon Cash Launches in Canada

The Loss Prevention Research Council's
Impact Conference Oct. 2-4 2017, A Six Episode Series

LP/AP Supports Total Enterprise Success

Episode 3

Read Hayes, PhD, CPP, Director, Loss Prevention Research Council
Tom Arigi, Senior Director of Asset Protection, Walmart

In this 16-minute episode, Dr. Hayes talks about three areas LP/AP teams can focus on to support total enterprise success in a brick-and-mortar retail environment - from ensuring on-shelf availability to providing a low-friction environment to making shoppers feel safe and secure.

Learn how retailers like Walmart are implementing this concept, what the early success has been like, and how you can get your organization involved.

Sponsored By:

Cyberthreats keep holiday shoppers off the web
About 30% of consumers surveyed by cybersecurity firm Sitelock say they do not plan to shop online this holiday season due to concerns about how well-protected online shopping sites are from security threats, according to a study emailed to Retail Dive.

That percentage is up about 10 points from last year, which Sitelock attributes to a lack of consumer confidence in retailer's cybersecurity protections - only 18% of those surveyed believe stores have the proper cybersecurity protections in place, per the report. Sitelock did not immediately return Retail Dive's request for more details.

The threat of a cybersecurity breach can have serious impacts on shopping behavior as well. About 66% of survey respondents said that if their private information was compromised in a data breach, they would no longer shop online or return to that store. Although 70% said that while they worry about their personal information being compromised, they believe they're covered by their credit card, bank or credit tracking. retaildive.com

5 Ways Etailers Can Make Online Shoppers Feel Safe
"Consumer confidence is at an all-time low," said Paige Schaffer, COO of the identity and digital protection services global unit at Generali Global Assistance.

Companies that want to nail down their share of the bonanza must not only make sure their systems are secure, but also make sure that shoppers know they're in good hands.

Here are some ways e-commerce firms can reassure skittish customers and potential customers.

1. Have a Good Cybersecurity Solution
2. Make Security a Core Policy
3. Use SSL Security
4. Don't Stint on Site Hosting
5. Blow Your Own Security Horn ecommercetimes.com

Online sales and web traffic point to higher, earlier e‑commerce growth for the holiday season
Adobe Systems Inc. reports that online sales in the U.S. through the first 11 days of November are roughly 1.8% higher than the company initially forecast.

Adobe earlier this month predicted that shoppers would spend $107.4 billion during the holiday period of Nov. 1-Dec. 31. Based on online sales Adobe has tracked so far, U.S. shoppers are on pace to spend $109.3 billion this year.

That $109.3 billion figure would represent year-over-year growth of 15.8% for the November-December period compared with last year's $94.4 billion in online sales. Adobe earlier this month forecast growth for those two months at 13.8%. digitalcommerce360.com

New Study Finds Retailers Don't See Ecommerce as a Holiday Threat

Online sales jump 16% while same-store sales slump in Q3 for Dick's Sporting Goods

Study: Digital coupon redemptions to nearly double by 2022

Update: Fencing Operation: Front Range, CO: Two sentenced in $300,000
Cell Phone Burglary / Fencing Ring
A judge handed down disparate sentences Tuesday against two men involved in a burglary ring that nabbed more than $300,000 worth of phones from cell phone stores across the Front Range, in what he called a measure of their individual roles. Carlos Rene Trejo, 32, who agreed to sell stolen phones at his now-shuttered Colorado Springs electronics store, received six years on economic probation, dodging the prison sentence requested by prosecutors. Isaiah Pickett, 22, was hit with a lengthy prison term - 20 years. The two were among a dozen people charged in the ring, which involved coordinated, late-night break-ins. gazette.com


Knox County, TN: KCSO cracking down on sale of stolen goods
The Knox County Sheriff's Office put together an organized retail crime unit, teaming up with local grocery stores and other retailers who are often victims of theft. They believe a recent string of shoplifting incidents is connected to the opioid epidemic. They said suspects are selling stolen goods and then using that money to buy drugs. Lee Tramel with the Knox County Sheriff's Office said it's happening every day, by the hour, and most people may not even know it. wate.com

Benton, LA: Man arrested in $48,000 theft of Lawn Equipment from
a Hardware store
Surveillance camera footage at Tubbs Hardware and Rental in Benton showed a couple of suspects approach the gate of the business, one of them carrying bolt cutters, on Aug. 26, around 4:40 a.m. The suspects entered by cutting two slick-wire fences on another victim's property before driving around the east side of the business. Although detectives were not able to identify the suspects on the camera footage, the suspects did leave behind another clue that led to the identity of Williams. ktbs.com

Update: Bullhead City, AZ: Police seeking man wanted for questioning in Kohl's jewelry burglary
Bullhead City Police Detectives are searching for 30-year-old Brereton Emerson Sherrill, who is wanted for questioning in the recent Kohl's burglary where thousands of dollars' worth of jewelry was stolen. Sherrill currently has a warrant for his arrest for failure to appear out of the Fort Mohave Tribal Police Department. He is also the suspect in multiple vehicle thefts. Police were called to a commercial alarm at the store at 5:30 a.m. Thursday. Police observed the glass front entrance was smashed when they arrived, and the jewelry display cases were also broken into. kdminer.com

Paris, France: French Police investigating the Burglary of $793,000 worth of Whiskey

Bakersfield, CA: Two men wanted for stealing $1600 worth of merchandise from JCPenney at Valley Plaza Mall

Prineville, OR: Police investigating spree of Burglaries; Sear Hometown hit for $25,000 in merchandise

Shootings & Deaths

Buffalo, NY: Suspect in Custody After Wounding Man at Dollar General;
wearing body armor and armed with two semi-automatic weapons
Police in the town of Cheektowaga say officers responded around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday to a report of a man with a gun outside a Dollar General store. Officers were able to catch the suspect after he attempted to flee on foot. Police say he was wearing camouflage and body armor, and two AR-15 rifles were recovered from the scene. Officials say a 53-year-old Cheektowaga man suffered a gunshot wound to his shoulder. The suspect was taken to a Buffalo hospital, where he's being held under guard. usnews.com

Louisville, KY: Papa John's delivery driver shot on the job, others being cautious
Hours after a pizza delivery driver was gunned down while on a run in South Louisville, other pizza shops owners are talking to their employees about staying safe on the job. Papa John's issued a statement: "Team member safety is of the utmost importance to Papa John's. We are cooperating with local authorities in their efforts to apprehend those responsible for this attack. Our thoughts are with the driver and his family and we wish him a speedy recovery." They would not say how or if the shooting is effecting driver policy and procedure in the future. whas11.com

Baltimore: C-Store Customer shot and killed in Armed Robbery as he left the store
 

Robberies & Thefts

Elk Grove, CA: Police Investigating Armed Robbery at Best Buy
Tuesday night there were frightening moments inside the store as robbers terrorized employees at gunpoint and took merchandise. There is a stock room in the back of the store, and that's just where police say two men were headed when they walked through the doors around 7 p.m. Surveillance cameras captured images of the men they're looking for now. Investigators say they walked into the stock room and started stuffing electronics into two duffel bags they had hidden on them -- pulling a gun and tying up the hands of two employees who came to confront them with USB cables and phone cords. fox40.com

Pleasanton, CA: Group of Hammer wielding thieves take over Jewelry Store
A crowd of criminals stormed into a jewelry store in Pleasanton and tried to use hammers for a smash-and-grab robbery. But they didn't manage to actually steal anything. It happened at the Diamond Ring Company on Monday night inside the Stoneridge Shopping Center. Just before closing, a group of six or seven masked people ran in and headed for Rolex watches. Based on the security video, it appears they had different jobs assigned. One guy started attacking the employee behind the counter with pepper spray. They hit the glass 11 times and though you can see shards flying up, they still couldn't get the whole pane to shatter. The group fled the store with nothing. kron4.com


Luzerne County, PA: Man charged in Armed Robbery spree; Family Dollar(s), CVS, and Ollie's
A serial robber faces more charges in Luzerne County. Raymond Bolling was charged Tuesday with hold-ups at a Family Dollar near Wilkes-Barre and a CVS in Hazleton. He has also been charged with a theft at Ollie's Bargain Outlet outside Hazleton. Bolling said he was sorry for a string of crimes in the area and he was high on drugs at the time. He's also a suspect in a theft at a Family Dollar store near McAdoo. wnep.com


Lisle, IL: FBI: Serial bank robber targets TCF Bank inside Jewel-Osco

Las Vegas, NV: String of Burglaries and Robberies at Marijuana Dispensaries in Southern Nevada; Owners increase security measures

Columbia, MD: Burglary suspect uses drive-through window to get into McDonald's

Sonora, CA: Shoplifting in downtown Sonora on the rise

Redmond, WA: Police investigating 8 electronics thefts from UPS trucks

Spain: Police bust Bulgarian-linked crime network smuggling stolen vehicles from Spain

Jared in the Twelve Oaks Mall, Novi, MI reported an Armed Robbery on 11/13, items valued at over $150,000

Kay Jewelers in the Northtown Mall, Blaine, MN reported a Grab & Run on 11/13, items valued at $8,498

Kay Jewelers in the St. Louis Galleria, Richmond Heights, MO reported a Grab & Run on 11/14, item valued at $7,799

Peoples Outlet in the Outlet Collection Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, CN reported a Grab & Run on 11/13, item valued at $1,699

Piercing Pagoda in the Valencia Town Center, Valencia, CA reported a Grab & Run on 11/14, item valued at $309
 

Sentencings & Arrests

Tulsa, OK: Three people charged with murder in gang-related fight outside C-store
Three people have been charged with murder in the shooting death of a man outside a north Tulsa convenience store in September after a gang-related fight, which also left a woman critically wounded. Two others also were charged Friday with less severe crimes related to the shootings. Walter Hogan, 38, was fatally shot about 3:30 a.m. Sept. 15 in front of Haney's Store. A 33-year-old woman also was shot, suffering critical wounds to one of her legs. tulsaworld.com

Norristown, PA: $13,000 Jewelry store Distraction Thief sentenced to 2 to 4 years
A Philadelphia man is on his way to prison after he admitted to stealing more than $13,000 worth of jewelry, during a "distraction-style theft," from the Liz El Jewel Box store in Ambler. Judge William R. Carpenter also ordered Forrest to pay $13,600 in restitution to the owners. montgomerynews.com
 

Counterfeit

International Falls, MN: Customs & Border Patrol seize nearly $1M in counterfeit home entertainment systems






 

Arson & Fire

West Palm Beach, FL: Ex-West Palm firefighter arrested in Walmart arson, theft
Former West Palm Beach Fire Rescue employee Kenneth Gray was arrested Tuesday afternoon on first-degree arson and theft charges in the Oct. 26 fire at Walmart; he started a cart full of Halloween decorations on fire. The 34-year-old West Palm resident is one of three people suspected in the fire, which Sheriff's Investigators say was set to distract employees while Gray walked off with a cart full of merchandise that October afternoon. palmbeachpost.com

Chicago, IL: Inmate, 66, Freed After 29 Years Behind Bars for Arson/Murder
he didn't commit
A man who spent the last 29 years in prison was freed Tuesday after prosecutors dropped the charges against him. Arthur Brown, 66, had been convicted for a double murder more than 30 years ago. Brown was arrested in 1988 after a suspicious fire at a South Side Video Store that spread and killed two people. Brown claims he was beaten into a confession and sentenced to life. cbslocal.com

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Don't Drag: How to Stay Productive During the End of the Year
 

4 Tips to Stay Productive During the Holidays  The holidays mark the end of the year, and while it's filled with excitement and joy, it can be hard to stay productive and focused. Days are shorter and as things tend to slow down, we lose momentum. Here's how to stay charged and keep productivity high this holiday season! Eat the frog

5 Productivity Tips to Get Your Work Done  Daylight savings. We all enjoy getting an extra hour of sleep, but we don't care much for the fact that it's pitch black by the time we leave work. There's no doubt productivity takes a hit during this dark time of year, but there are some great tips you can use to stay focused and determined! Pump up the jams

5 Insights on Keeping Employees Productive During the Holidays  As the last of this year's holidays race toward us, more and more leaders are finding it harder to keep employees motivated and productive. To get the most out of your team, be flexible and use these five tips to keep everyone engaged and in good cheer! Throw a party

These 4 Productivity Tips Will Save You Time and Sanity  The end of the year marks excitement for a lot of us, but it also brings with it craziness to complete the last of our to-do lists, and keeping focused and productive during the holidays. Good thing there are some daily habits you can start using today to boost productivity and decrease stress. Turn off the phone

With emails now the primary method of communicating, the world has become a different place. English professors are gritting their teeth over the new email language and corporate America is watching and grading every sentence. It is important to always be a professional in every venue, and emails should be an area one excels at regardless of topic or executive you are communicating with. Emails are permanent files that take on an identity themselves. How you mold your identity is critical every day.

Just a Thought,
Gus

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