$1.4M merchandise recovered after ‘major cargo theft

Thieves in the Los Angeles area allegedly stole $1.4 million worth of merchandise from warehouses during coordinated cargo assaults. The thefts targeted a variety of goods, exploiting gaps in distribution center security. Local law enforcement called the incidents part of a growing trend in organized cargo theft. Investigators are analyzing supply chain routes and shipping manifests to trace the stolen items.

NBC 4

'We got ransacked': Royal Oak streetwear store robbed for fifth time in a year

A streetwear shop in Royal Oak, Michigan, was targeted for the fifth time since mid-2024, with thieves stealing high-end clothing and shoes in a bold overnight raid. The burglars disabled the alarm, entered through a bathroom window, and ransacked the store for more than an hour. The owner says the repeated attacks are pushing him to the brink of closing. Police maintain they responded quickly but the criminals were long gone by the time they arrived.

WXYZ

Man begs for leniency at retail fraud, explosives sentencing

A man named Alexae Johnson pleaded guilty to manufacturing a noxious gas cloud inside a Meijer store to distract employees while stealing merchandise. The scheme allegedly allowed him to grab $1,000 to $2,000 worth of goods unnoticed during the diversion. Four people were treated and released after exposure to the gas. Johnson faces serious penalties given the dangerous nature of using a chemical device in a retail environment.

ABC 13

Microsoft Issues Warning About Hackers Compromising Employee Accounts to Steal Salary Payments

Hackers breached Microsoft systems and manipulated payroll data to divert salaries from unsuspecting employees. The attackers reportedly re-routed direct deposits and altered financial accounts to siphon funds. Microsoft is conducting an internal investigation and has notified affected employees and regulators. The breach raises concerns about payroll system vulnerabilities in major enterprises.

Cyber Press

Walmart reportedly selling Unitree humanoid robots on its website: Retail reality or PR stunt?

Reports surfaced that Walmart listed Unitree humanoid robots for sale on its website, sparking debate about whether this is a real retail move or a publicity gimmick. The robots are marketed with features like autonomous mobility and AI capabilities. Some analysts see potential in robotic store services, while skeptics call it marketing hype ahead of actual deployment. Walmart has neither confirmed mass rollout nor clarified its intentions regarding the listing.

R&A News

Chris Stapleton Arrested in Topeka, Again for Shoplifting

(Well… kinda.)

Country music fans nearly dropped their sweet tea Tuesday when the Shawnee County booking report listed the name Christopher Michael Stapleton.

Born 6/20/71. Booked at 2:25 p.m. on October 7. Charged with theft under $1,500... his second shoplifting offense in under five years.

Cue the record scratch.

No, it’s not the Grammy-winning Tennessee crooner behind “Tennessee Whiskey.” This Stapleton doesn’t have a beard worth millions or a voice that can make whiskey cry. But he does share one heck of a name — and apparently a knack for finding trouble at the checkout line.

The local Stapleton’s $1,500 personal-surety bond may not buy front-row tickets to the real Chris’s next tour, but it will buy him a chance to explain to a judge why he can’t stay out of the clearance aisle.

So, to clarify:
Chris Stapleton, the country legend? Still on tour.
Chris Stapleton, Topeka’s “buy-now, pay-never” outlaw? On a short hiatus — courtesy of Shawnee County Corrections.

Sometimes the headlines write themselves, friends.

Source: This is Topeka

Delivery driver for Target would mark packages as delivered before stealing them, charges say

CBS News

Beyond the Workplace: Employers Must Take Action to Protect Domestic Violence Survivors

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness month, we provide this reminder of employer obligations and employee rights with respect to employees facing domestic violence and other “qualifying acts of violence” (as defined by law and described in the materials linked below).

Please be sure to provide this domestic violence notice to employees when hired as well as when an employee requests information or reports that they are experiencing domestic violence.

JD Supra

77% of Employees Share Company Secrets on ChatGPT, Report Warns

eSecurity Planet

Facing the Pushout Theft Challenge: Lessons from Regional Retailers and Industry Experts

Date & Time: Oct 14, 2025 01:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Pushout theft—when loaded carts of unpaid merchandise are wheeled out the front doors—has become a significant and visible challenge for retailers. It isn’t just opportunistic shoplifters; organized retail crime groups are also using carts to quickly move high-value goods. While national chains have invested in advanced technology to combat the problem, regional grocers often face greater exposure, operating with leaner teams and tighter budgets.

This Loss Prevention Foundation webinar will bring together retailer voices and industry experts to discuss how regional grocers are addressing this evolving threat. Attendees will hear first-hand experiences from retailers who have deployed Gatekeeper Systems’ Purchek® solution, as well as valuable data and insights on theft trends. The session will highlight proven strategies to deter theft without confrontation, protect employees and shoppers, and deliver measurable ROI.

Two New Yorkers charged in $15K Northborough organized retail theft

Northborough police say they recovered roughly $15,000 worth of stolen merchandise after arresting two women accused of threatening employees and stealing items from Dick’s Sporting Goods on Monday, October 6.

Officers responded to the store after staff reported two women making threats toward employees. Police say the suspects had taken numerous items before being detained.

Detectives later obtained a search warrant for the vehicle the pair arrived in and discovered several trash bags filled with clothing and household goods—many of them still bearing sales or security tags.

Shrewsbury Post

Dispute over woman not saying 'thank you' at Dallas store allegedly led to deadly shooting: Affidavit

A woman was fatally shot during an altercation at a Texas shopping center that allegedly began when the victim became upset at the alleged shooter for "not saying thank you" when she held a door open for her, according to court filings.

The shooting occurred Tuesday afternoon in the parking lot of a shopping center in southwest Dallas, according to the arrest warrant affidavit obtained by ABC News.

Cecilia Simpson, 41, was shot multiple times, according to Dallas police.

She was transported to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

ABC News

VIDEO: Tech Byte - Better Business Bureau Warns of New Diabolical Scams

In Tech Byte – Better Business Bureau Warns of New Diabolical Scams, a BBB expert outlines how fraudsters are using increasingly creative tactics to trick consumers into believing too-good-to-be-true deals.

The video highlights red flags like urgency, unrealistic discounts, and pressure-filled messaging designed to short-circuit rational judgments.

Viewers are advised to verify sellers, read reviews, and proceed cautiously to separate legitimate offers from sophisticated scams.

WDEF

Central Garden & Pet is looking for a Director of Risk Management in our Walnut Creek, CA office. This position is a strategic leader responsible for overseeing the company’s global corporate insurance program. This role manages complex insurance portfolios, leads enterprise-wide risk assessment and mitigation strategies, and serves as President of the company’s wholly owned captive insurance company. The Director partners closely with cross-functional leaders and business units to safeguard the company’s $3.2B in annual revenue and 6,000+ employees worldwide, ensuring protection of assets, operational resilience, and long-term business continuity.

SPD bust mother-daughter in stolen merchandise operation

The SPD investigated a mother-daughter duo who were running a large-scale operation selling stolen merchandise from their social media platforms.

A Loss Prevention Investigator notified the Sacramento Regional Organized Retail Crime Task Force of the operation that the duo was running from their North Highlands home.

SPD reported that they would market their stolen items through their social media platforms.

FOX40

Naked Florida man chases Walmart workers, found "agitated and paranoid" in woods, police say

A man was arrested early Wednesday after police say he was found naked and behaving erratically outside a Walmart in North Florida.

According to the Lake City Police Department, officers responded to the store at about 2:45 a.m. on Wednesday after receiving reports of a suspicious person in the parking lot.

Police dispatch advised that a nude male had been chasing Walmart employees and fled toward a wooded area north of the store, police said in a press release.

CBS News