$1.6 million in counterfeit merchandise seized during I-85 traffic stop: deputies

Deputies in South Carolina seized $1.6 million worth of counterfeit merchandise during a traffic stop on I-85. The items included fake designer goods, such as handbags and clothing, intended for illegal resale. Authorities discovered the counterfeit items after stopping a vehicle for a routine violation. The investigation is ongoing, and officials are working to determine the source and destination of the counterfeit goods.

WSPA

VIDEO: Smash-and-grab suspect, Reseda store owner fire pepper spray at each other during flash mob robbery

A flash mob robbery at a Reseda store escalated into chaos when the store owner and a suspect pepper-sprayed each other. The incident occurred during a smash-and-grab theft involving multiple suspects targeting the store. The owner attempted to defend the property, leading to the confrontation with one of the robbers. Police are investigating the robbery, which is part of a growing trend of organized retail thefts.

ABC 7

Kroger employee accused in fatal stabbing not facing murder charge

A Kroger employee accused of fatally stabbing a coworker will not face murder charges, according to authorities. The incident occurred during an altercation at the store, which escalated into violence. Prosecutors determined there was insufficient evidence to pursue a murder charge, though other charges may still apply. The case has sparked discussions about workplace safety and conflict resolution.

Local 12

Alabama mall shootout that critically injured 20-year-old tied to recent murder

A man shot at a Dothan mall is now suspected of being involved in a murder at a wild party in Pike County. Authorities believe the suspect was connected to a violent altercation at the party that resulted in a fatality. The mall shooting occurred during an unrelated incident, leading to the suspect's identification. Investigators are piecing together the events to determine the full scope of the suspect's involvement.

News 4

Dispute Over Checkout Line Ends in Violent Stabbing at Kearny Store

A dispute over a checkout line at a Kearny store escalated into violence, resulting in a stabbing. The altercation began as a verbal argument between two customers and quickly turned physical. One individual pulled out a weapon and stabbed the other, causing serious injuries. Police are investigating the incident, and the suspect has been taken into custody.

RLS Media

TalkLP Podcast host Amber Bradley grabs some time with John Clark, Executive Director, of the Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail (CLEAR) ahead of their conference coming up in Orlando 20 – 23, 2025!

Hear John’s thoughts on the STACKED agenda and why it’s so important for the retail and law enforcement community to come together at events like this.  The ED of CLEAR also talks about the evolving threat of organized retail crime and what retailers need to be ready for next.  Amber also asks John to clear up the rumor about CLEAR trying to “take over” the local ORCAs…? (see what I did there??) 

For more information and to register for clear – hit them up here!

Over $200,000 In Stolen Apple Products Recovered In California After Nevada Cargo Theft

Authorities in California said Thursday that they recovered more than $200,000 worth of stolen Apple products connected to a cargo theft in Nevada.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) said officers responded to a “Be On The Lookout” (BOLO) issued by Nevada authorities after a “large quantity” of Apple products were stolen from a cargo truck near Sparks, Nev., Thursday morning.

The alert described a white cargo van carrying the stolen merchandise.

CHP officers, with assistance from a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department helicopter, located the suspect van traveling south on Interstate 5 near Western Avenue at around 3:40 p.m. Thursday.

National Enquirer

LMPD: Woman arrested for shoplifting $10K worth of merchandise from Lowe’s

Louisville Metro Police have arrested a woman after they say she made multiple trips to different Lowe’s to steal merchandise.

Julie A. Price is in custody at Louisville Metro Department of Corrections for retail theft. The first reported incident, according to court documents, happened on Sept. 20 and happened multiple times until she was eventually arrested on Oct 10.

Price was caught on surveillance at different Lowe’s. Police state that she would load up her carts with various items and pass all points of sale in the store.

After being read her rights, Price admitted to the thefts. The total of items stolen came up to $10,769.02.

WAVE

How Technology is Catching Hidden Hazards Before People Get Hurt

Technology.org

How Organized Retail Crime is Threatening the Retail Industry

Generally defined as "the coordinated theft of merchandise by two or more individuals for the purpose of reselling for financial gain," Organized Retail Crime (ORC) has consistently grown as a problem over the past decade and is projected to become even more of an issue in future years.

ORC costs retail businesses an average of $244,509 per case, the highest the case value has been in over 8 years. The same   report cited that theft has continued to grow year by year since 2020, with a 3.7% increase from 2022 to 2023. In October 2023, Target announced it was closing 9 stores across 4 states due to organized retail crime. Walmart has closed over 24 stores in 14 different states throughout 2023 due to theft and underperformance.

Read on to learn more about the impact ORC is having on today’s economic landscape, as well as how cloud video security can assist retailers’ loss prevention efforts and streamline investigations.

1 in custody after bomb threat at Walmart in Fairlawn, Pulaski County deputies say

The Pulaski County Sheriff's Office said a person is in custody after a bomb threat on Sunday.

According to deputies, on Sunday morning at approximately 9:30, there was a bomb threat at the Walmart in Fairlawn. 

The person who made the threat is in custody, and there were no other threats found, according to deputies.

WSET

Fort Worth police search for suspects in shotgun convenience store heist

Fort Worth police are working to identify two suspects involved in an armed robbery at a convenience store Sunday night.

Investigators say around 10:43 p.m., the suspects entered the store in the 3700 block of Granbury Road.

One of them was armed with a shotgun, and both threatened the store clerk while demanding money.

ABC 8

Fear of high premiums keeps cargo theft underreported

Much of the nation’s cargo theft problem may be hidden from sight – kept off the books intentionally by trucking companies attempting to control costs.

New data from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) reveals that more than two-thirds of all motor carrier cargo theft incidents are valued below $50,000, meaning a significant share falls below typical deductibles.

Freight Waves

Director, Digital Loss Prevention North America - NIKE

The Digital Loss Prevention (DLP) team are experts at identifying fraud, abuse and systematic loopholes that result in financial losses in North America. They work as a team to deliver solutions that protect profit and reduce friction for our members to maximize investment in the business and deliver the best possible product to consumers. The role leads three teams (Quality Assurance, Analytics and Operations) and will be reporting to the Sr. Director Digital Operations in North America and work closely with Sr. Director Global Digital Loss Prevention to deliver the results.

Dollar General worker in Ohio bitten in alleged theft

FOX 8

Target and Walmart push back on new shoplifting, retail theft law

Retail theft has been growing, and retailers have been hesitant to take the steps needed to — if not stop it — at least reduce it.

Large retailers including Target and Walmart have used self-checkout as a way to spend less on labor.

They may claim that's not the reason and say that staff have been reassigned elsewhere, but there are fewer workers in the checkout area.

The Street