A Wichita Falls murder investigation has led to a fifth arrest in just over two weeks—this time for organized retail theft. Patricia Vasquez, an employee at Lowe’s, was charged after police uncovered messages on a murder suspect’s phone revealing a scheme to steal and resell merchandise totaling over $3,200. The arrest is the latest development in a widening case that, despite multiple arrests, has yet to yield a murder charge.
As Gen-Z enters the workforce in greater numbers, they’re reshaping how workplace safety—both physical and psychological—is defined and addressed. According to Traliant’s 2025 State of Workplace Harassment Report, Gen-Z workers, particularly in retail, report higher rates of witnessing violence and harassment and hold broader views of what constitutes misconduct. To meet their expectations, employers must modernize safety policies, implement immersive, digital-first training, and foster a culture where employees feel empowered to speak up.
Deputies say a Walmart employee killed two of his coworkers and left another critically injured at two different scenes during a night of violence in Newton County. The Newton County Sheriff's Office says Dwayne Eduh, a 24-year-old Walmart employee, fatally shot two of his coworkers and critically injured a third before fleeing the state and shooting himself during a standoff in South Carolina.
The FlashBot Arm, a semi-humanoid robot developed by Pudu Robotics, is poised to transform service industries such as hospitality, retail, and healthcare. Equipped with advanced navigation, dexterous robotic arms, and conversational AI, it can autonomously perform tasks like delivering items, operating elevators, and interacting with customers. While designed to enhance efficiency and address labor shortages, its deployment raises questions about the future of human roles in these sectors.
Chinese suppliers are offering U.S. Amazon sellers rebates to offset the cost of tariffs imposed during the U.S.-China trade war, effectively reducing the financial burden on American importers. This practice has raised concerns among U.S. officials about potential violations of trade laws and the undermining of tariff policies aimed at protecting domestic industries.
Dan Petrousek, SVP of Loss Prevention at ULTA Beauty,
Scott McBride, CSO, American Eagle, David Johnston, VP of Asset Protection & Retail Ops, NRF
Photo cred: Dan Petrousek
Retailers support federal bill to thwart organized retail crime
Retailers are urging passage of new bipartisan legislation that would establish a coordinated federal response to the growing problem of organized retail crime.
The “Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 (CORCA)" legislation calls for the establishment of a Center to Combat Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime. The center will combine expertise from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies as well as retail industry representatives.
The legislation was introduced as retail theft has become pervasive, with organized rings targeting retailers in-stores, deceiving consumers through gift-card scams and attacking the supply chains through cargo theft operation
“Organized criminal enterprises are endangering communities across the country through brazen and violent criminal acts that put retail employees and customers in harm’s way,” said Michael Hanson, senior executive VP, public affairs, Retail Industry Leaders Association. “Whether stealing mass quantities of products from retail stores or hijacking consumer goods throughout the supply chain, these gangs are wreaking havoc.”
The criminal rings use the profits from retail theft to support larger illicit activities such as human trafficking, gun smuggling, narcotics, and terrorism, Hanson added.
David French, VP of government relations, National Retail Federation, sounded a similar note.
“ORC is occurring across the retail enterprise — supply chains, bricks-and-mortar stores, warehouses and online — with stolen product sold for a profit, oftentimes to fund other crimes,” he said.
The legislation will ensure that resources and information-sharing will be available across local, state, federal and private-sector partners to bring cases and prosecutions against organized theft groups, noted French.
“This legislation is an important step to help prevent ORC from infiltrating local communities across the country,” he added. “We urge Congress to move quickly to approve this integral measure.”
Former Portland Rite Aid security found guilty of raping woman inside store
A former loss prevention officer at a Rite Aid who sexually assaulted a woman has been found guilty on multiple charges, including rape.
On Thursday, Daniel Luis Cassinelli was found guilty by a judge on charges of first-degree rape, two counts of first-degree sodomy and two counts of second-degree sexual abuse in connection with the incident on Jan. 21st.
At the time, Cassinelli had been working as a loss prevention officer at a downtown Portland Rite Aid when he accused a woman, Maryann Stott, of shoplifting. He then took her into the store's basement and raped her.
Retailer expresses frustration over lack of prosecution for shoplifters
Wisconsin man suspected of setting fire to an office space leased by Congressman Glenn Grothman Police in Wisconsin are investigating after a man torched a congressman's district office after the popular social media app TikTok briefly went dark in the United States, according to authorities.
The Fond du Lac Police Department said a 19-year-old man from Menasha admitted to setting a fire at an office space leased to U.S. Representative Glenn Grothman.
Just after 1 a.m. on Sunday, January 19, police said officers along with the City of Fond du Lac Fire Rescue responded to Grothman's office about a possible structure fire.
Bipartisan bill targets organised retail and supply chain crime in US
A group of bipartisan federal legislators in the US has put forward a new bill aimed at addressing the rise in organized crime affecting supply chains and retail businesses.
The Combatting Organized Retail Crime (CORCA) Act was introduced by Congressman David Valadao, with representatives Michael Baumgartner, Lou Correa, Dave Joyce, Laurel Lee, Susie Lee, Brad Schneider and Dina Titus co-sponsoring the proposed legislation.
The Senate version of the bill is spearheaded by Senators Chuck Grassley and Catherine Cortez Masto.
The CORCA Act is designed to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement agencies in tackling interstate and international criminal activities.
AI-Driven Retail Supply Chains Revolutionizing Distribution for a Smarter Future
The Dawn of AI in Retail Logistics, Srinivas Ankam, a thought leader in AI-driven supply chain innovations, explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping retail distribution.
His research uncovers the profound impact of AI on optimizing operations, reducing inefficiencies, and enabling real-time decision-making in global enterprises.
Addressing Retail Supply Chain Challenges Retail distribution has long struggled with balancing cost efficiency, sustainability, and demand forecasting.
UBS analyst: Tariffs could trigger mass inventory pileups, store closures for soft-line retailers
Retail stocks have unraveled amid recent market volatility, with the ongoing tariff back-and-forth rattling an industry deeply reliant on imports.
The SPDR Retail ETF is down 12% this year, and the consumer discretionary sector — which includes heavyweights like Home Depot HD $355.35 (0.42%), Nordstrom JWN $24.01 (0.97%), and Foot Locker FL $11.12 (-5.84%) — is now the worst-performing S&P 500 sector year to date.
Free Your Merchandise without your merchandise being free
Locked-up items may stop thieves—but they stop sales too. Gatekeeper Systems’Purchek Technology changes the game by locking carts, not merchandise. It deters theft in real time, without disrupting shoppers. Protect profits, not just products.
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Video Shows 4 Men Riding Horses Through Walmart In US: "That's My Emotional Support Animal"
A video has surfaced on the internet showing four men, calling themselves the "cutthroat cowboys," riding their "emotional support" horses through a Louisiana Walmart. The footage captured the group on horseback, calmly trotting past cashiers and down the store's aisles in Baker, leaving stunned shoppers and employees in their wake.
The nearly 40-second video shows the men seemingly unfazed as they navigate the big-box store.
The scene unfolded with onlookers reacting in shock, one person exclaiming, "What the f—?"
A Walmart employee, seemingly amused, suggested calling the police, warning that the group was "gonna scare the s— out of somebody."
Northern California police recover $40,000 in stolen goods from retail crime ring
In February 2025, a CHP task force investigated a suspected retail crime that involved the sale of stolen merchandise online. Subsequently, three suspects were identified and arrested. The suspects were from San Jose, Dixon, and Rio Linda, according to CHP.
The California Highway Patrol recovered more than $40,000 in stolen retail merchandise.
Several search warrants in Northern California led to the discovery of more than $40,000 in stolen merchandise from retail stores.
CHP said investigators executed three residential search warrants and two additional warrants for storage lockers across three counties. This extensive operation led to the recovery of $40,533.25 in suspected stolen goods.
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