Michigan House would make organized retail theft a felony with tougher punishments than those for shoplifting. The House Commerce Committee met yesterday to discuss House bills 5843 and 5902 sponsored by Rep. Joseph Graves, that would make organized retail theft a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine, along with restitution to the retailers. Rep. Grave’s wife worked for Meijer Stores for 26 years. (Source mlive.com)

Four arrested in Burglary ring in South Carolina. An investigation by the Florence County Sheriff's Office has opened up a major burglary ring in the Florence area and put four men behind bars. The strings of burglaries struck businesses in the City of Florence and surrounding county areas. The retail stores and businesses include a Subway Sandwich Shop, NAPA Auto Parts Store, 76 Pawn and Gun, Burger King, and the Advance Auto Store along with many others. (Source scnow.com)

70-year-old man arrested for organized fraud. Pasquali Vilardi of Ocala contacted someone, saying Sears was blowing out overstock flat screen televisions at $200 a piece, but you needed to purchase five. Someone showed up to meet Vilardi outside the store and gave him $1,000. Vilardi told the suspecting customer to wait and someone would be right out with the televisions. Vilardi does not work for Sears and was later arrested. (Source ocala.com)