Organized Retail Crime A Threat To Business
 

DETROIT (WWJ) – They shop with a list and get in and out of a store quickly. But we’re not talking about your Grandma at the grocery store. We’re talking about crooks.

Shoplifting has always been a problem. But now there's something new: organized retail crime. Gangs and individuals target retailers, scooping up thousands of dollars of merchandise in just a few minutes.

They travel in a group – there's a driver, look out person and two or three people who hit up the stores, dumping merchandise into strollers or specially made bags. Then, they just walk out of the store, shove their bounty in a waiting van and drive off to another shopping area.

Most startling is the National Retail Federation reports 95 percent of retailers have had this happen to them.

The final scene in this crime drama? The bad guys turn around and sell or trade the stolen goods. It often ends up on a small retailer's shelf, who buys the items not knowing their history. Consumers can also end up buying the illegally obtained goods on websites. (Source: CBSDetroit.com)

South Los Angeles Gangs hit 8 retailers Along Broadway since June

Smash and Grab Video released

Police on Thursday released surveillance video of downtown's latest smash-and-grab robbery.

In the video, three men are seen running into the 21st Century Jewelry store, located at 749 S. Broadway. One of the robbers pepper sprayed the store's employee, while the other two men smash glass jewelry display cases. As the clerk huddles behind the counter, the men grab whatever they can carry and flee the store.

"We think that the word has gotten around that this is somehow easy money, but I'm here to tell everyone, we've put 13 people in jail over the last couple weeks and we'll keep doing that until they realize the pickings aren't so easy," said Lt. Paul Vernon of the LAPD.  We've been seeing these smash-and-grabs occurring for several weeks," said Vernon. "As you can see in the video, the use of pepper spray has become a common tactic."

Anyone with information about the case can contact detectives at 213-972-1251. During non-business hours or weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Tipsters can remain anonymous via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).  (Source nbclosangeles.com)

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