Passage of Bill Would Expand Law Enforcement Network, Increase Penalties for Certain Offenders
HARRISBURG – Attorney General Dave Sunday has joined a 38-state coalition of Attorneys General calling on Congress to take action to assist in fighting the trending scourge of organized retail crime.
In the letter, the coalition asks Congress to consider legislation that would provide more resources to local and state law enforcement and increase penalties for convicted supply chain thieves.
“Retail theft is not a victimless crime, as we have seen violence against employees and bystanders in numerous incidents nationwide. These large-scale thefts also drive up the price of goods for consumers and lead retailers to close stores,” Attorney General Sunday said. “Many of these rings operate across local and state borders, so expanding the network of law enforcers and strengthening the supply of federal resources makes sense in combatting this trending criminal conduct. These criminals are raking in large profits while putting consumers and communities at risk.”
Organized retail crime has contributed to financial losses totaling over $121 billion in the United States, and 76 percent of retail asset protection managers’ report their employees have suffered from violence at the hands of an organized retail criminal.
The Office of Pennsylvania Attorney General launched its Organized Retail Crime Unit last year, and already opened significant investigations and made impactful arrests and prosecutions — along with assisting neighboring agencies.
Earlier this month, the Organized Retail Crime Unit charged two people with stealing thousands of dollars worth of generators from a Monroe County Lowe’s — as part of a multi-state ring of generator thefts.
In January, a woman was charged with stealing $22,000 worth of Apple products from target stores across the Commonwealth.
Also in January, a man was sentenced to state prison for a sophisticated Apple gift card draining scheme in western Pennsylvania, involving thefts and returns at Wal-Mart stores.
During the 118th Congress, the House and Senate introduced H.R.895/S.140 – Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023, and S. 139 – Organized Retail Crime Center Authorization Act of 2023. Now, the coalition is urging the 119th Congress to re-introduce this bill to include increased federal penalties for supply chain thefts to act as a strong deterrent against the organized theft of goods in transit. Cargo theft remains a primary component of organized retail crime nationwide, as it disrupts supply chains and impacts pricing of everything from baby formula to clothing.
In their letter, the coalition notes that legislation proposed in the 118th Congress would expand upon state and federal efforts with the creation of an Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center at the Department of Homeland Security, facilitating the information sharing necessary to address the complex cross-border nature of organized retail crime.
The Attorneys General from Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, and South Carolina co-led the letter to Congress.
Joining them are the Attorneys General from Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington, and West Virginia.
Find a copy of the letter here.
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