Natick Mall Macy's security guard part of ORC ring busted at Macy's in Mass.  A Quincy man who worked as a security guard at Macy’s at the Natick Mall was actually the leader of an organized shoplifting ring and used his job to make it easier to steal merchandise, authorities said. Among the 83 items the group tried to steal, were 42 men’s shirts, five women’s suits and a cellphone, the report said. The merchandise was typically valued at more than $7,000, but because of sales, the price was about $4,800. Macy’s officials plan on reviewing past surveillance videos because they found evidence that the ring may have been involved in other thefts, the report says. On Thursday, the Macy’s loss prevention office received an anonymous tip that Hampe, who also worked at another store in Boston, was the leader of "an organized retail theft operation," and that he and his group planned on "hitting" Macy’s on Thursday at 8:30 p.m., the report said. Hampe was recently hired as a store security guard, the report said. Security personnel began monitoring Hampe’s Facebook page. That night, four people, including two whom security officers recognized from Hampe's Facebook page, came into the store. (Source metrowestdailynews.com)

Multi-city ORC ring leader and two others busted at Cool Springs Galleria Mall in Franklin, Tenn.  Franklin Police broke-up a multi-city shoplifting ring Saturday night, after input from other law enforcement agencies. Police said three suspects stole merchandise Friday night from several stores in Mt. Juliet. Police released information to other agencies describing the vehicles the suspects used to leave the scene. Best Buy loss prevention officers also notified other Best Buy stores in the region about the shoplifters and sent a description of the suspects. Employees at the Brentwood Best Buy recognized them Saturday and called police. Brentwood Police did not have any reason to take two people into custody, but called in Franklin's undercover officers to assist them. During the traffic stop Robert and Charlotte Hartsell told officers they had stolen merchandise inside the car, but it did not belong to them. "They said none of the merchandise in there was theirs, and they were willing to get the owner of the vehicle back to it," according to Kroeger. The two suspects worked with police to convince Brown to come and get his car. Police then set up a sting operation in an effort to catch Brown. They arrested 30-year-old Courtney Brown of Madison after he showed up to get the vehicle loaded with $715 worth of stolen merchandise. Brown, charged with Felony Theft, was also found to be in possession of marijuana, crack cocaine, and Xanax. He remains in custody on theft and drug charges at the Williamson County Jail on a $25,000 bond. Brown is a convicted felon who was out of jail on probation at the time of this arrest. (Source newschannel5.com)

East Coast Home Depot UPC switcher/refunder to spend 3yrs. 5 months in federal prison  Christopher M. Smith was sentenced in a judgment entered Friday, Dec. 6, by U.S. District Judge Terrence G. Berg to three years, five months in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud for participating in the scheme that stretched from Florida to Michigan and involved more than 100 Home Depot stores. Smith was also ordered to pay $311,000 in restitution after he admitted that he and others began the scheme in February 2010, according to a plea agreement filed Aug. 14, in Flint U.S. District Court. An affidavit filed in May by the Federal Bureau of Investigation alleged that Smith and another man masterminded the scheme that included switching UPC codes on expensive items with those of cheaper items in order to purchase the goods for less than the marked price. Federal investigators allege that the men, along with accomplices who have not been charged, would then return the purchased items without receipts in order to receive store credit for the more-expensive original price. (Source mlive.com)

Rockford, ILL., man gets 17 months in federal prison for his role in multi-state ORC gang that hit retailers  William Dorn, 25, was sentenced in federal court today. He admitted to fraudulently acquiring tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise for chain stores, then "returning" the times for cash. The scheme involved using counterfeit checks and false IDs to buy merchandise from stores like Wal-Mart and Farm & Fleet in various states. Three other men from Rockford have already been sentenced for their roles in the scheme. (Source mystateline.com)


International: Malaysia Police busted baby formula theft ring; group had hit stores for over a year  Selangor police crippled a baby formula theft syndicate led by a 41-year-old woman in two separate raids last week. Police investigations revealed the woman had 12 previous records related to drugs and theft. The syndicate had been terrorizing hypermarkets and 24-hour convenience stores for over a year. A total of 12 thieves and 5 shop owners have been arrested. (Source themalaymailonline.com)