The Bunker Blog

Loss Prevention Is Not Sales Prevention

Browsing Posts published in September, 2008

A couple of days ago, I wrote about Rosita Davani, the regional Loss Prevention Director for Nordstrom who, along with other former LP agents, was operating a theft ring that stretched from Pennsylvania into Virginia and Maryland. In all six people have been arrested in connection with this case, with possibly more arrests to come.

Here is another case where at least one employee is involved in an organized retail theft scheme targeting his company. Safeway employee Anthony Ruiz has been arrested, along with three other individuals, for stealing cosmetics, over-the-counter drugs, and other merchandise, which was then sold through online auction sites. Estimates are that Ruiz stole more than $60,000.00 worth of merchandise.

Several years ago, before all the buzz about organized retail theft, I was involved with a case where an employee was pushing merchandise out of a store, where it was loaded onto a van, shipped to a storage facility, then sold off at flea markets or online. The employee admitted to stealing $80,000.00 in merchandise. It was a huge case, but it was also very frustrating to know that he had been able to take tens of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise out before we identified the issue.

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As I wrote about on Monday, September 22nd, The House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security held a hearing on Monday at 4:00PM EDT to address three bills introduced that would help fight organized retail crime. If you missed the webcast, you can watch it, and read the testimony given by all witnesses here

There is no doubt that this is a huge issue for retailers, and the problem is growing. The FBI estimates that retailers are losing $30 billion a year to ORC. During his testimony, Congressman Brad Ellsworth of Indiana stated that the state of Indiana lost $40 million in tax revenue in 2006 due to ORC. 

What do you think?  Leave us a comment.

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My good friend Rick McCann at PrivateOfficer.com sent me an email today about this story. Apparently, Rozita Davani, Regional LP Director for Nordstrom’s in King Of Prussia, PA, was operating an organized retail theft ring, using loss prevention agents to steal merchandise. As of today, police had arrested Davani and 5 other suspects in this case, and one is still being sought. 

According to Police, Davani was the ring leader of a ring of thieves made up of loss prevention employees who would steal items from the store’s mail room, then give the items to relatives, who would return the items for cash or store credits. Police recovered $25,000.00 in stolen designer clothing from a car and from Davani’s home.

That brings me to a question: How does a retailer protect against these kinds of attacks? I mean, when the regional LP director is directly involved, and using current and former LP agents to steal merchandise, who is watching the store? 

I have to think that a good awareness program would go a long way toward stopping these types of theft, but I have to tell you, I’m not sure how a retailer would prevent this type of crime. This is a tough situation for any retailer to be in. I have to wonder if there were any indicators, whether personal or at work, that these employees may have been on the take. Loss Prevention is, and should be, in a position of trust. When this trust is betrayed, it affects us all. 

Anybody want to comment on this one?

 

Watch the News Video

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The House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security is scheduled to address H.R. 6713, the “E-fencing Enforcement Act of 2008″, H.R. 6491, the “Organized Retail Crime Act of 2008″ and S. 3434, the “Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2008″.

The National Retail Federation is making this hearing available online today beginning at 4pm. Click here to go to the site, then click the link at the bottom to view the webcast. It will be interesting to see and hear the various viewpoints offered in this hearing.  

The subcommittee will hear testimony from Joseph LaRocca, VP of Loss Prevention for the NRF;  Frank Muscato, ORC coordinator for Walgreens; and Sheriff Grady Judd of Polk County, Florida, among possible others. 

I will have an update by tomorrow here on the Bunker Blog. In the meantime, feel free to comment either here on on the forum.

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According to local news, Police in Genessee County Michigan conducted a shoplifting blitz at a local mall on Friday, September 19th, which resulted in 25 arrests in one day. This came after increased complaints from retailers, who report that losses from shoplifting have tripled since spring.  Police arrested 20 adults and 5 juveniles in the blitz on Friday. Interestingly enough, there were no arrests made on Saturday.

Personally, I love the concept of police and even LP doing blitz style investigations. Every area in a given territory can be visited regularly, and at random. That way, the shoplifters never know when it’s coming. What a great deterrent. 

As the rate of shoplifting increases, retailers and law enforcement are working hard to come up with ways to combat the problem.

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