The Bunker Blog

Jorge Severino, 53, and his son, Luis, 22, were charged with receiving stolen property over $250, pirating, possession for sale of unstamped cigarettes after police recovered over $50,000 worth of stolen merchandise that was being fenced out of Hancock Seafood Market at 260 Hancock Street and in an apartment upstairs at 262 Hancock St in Springfield, MA. Police recovered merchandise from CVS, Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, Ocean State Job Lot, Rite Aide, Cumberland Farms and Walgreens was recovered in the bust.

Police also discovered a large scale DVD pirating operation in the upstairs apartment, recovering over 300 pirated copies of new release DVD movies.

According to Masslive.com, CVS loss prevention worked with Springfield Police Detectives for almost a year to bust this group. More arrests are expected in the case.

I say, “Great Job” to the LP and Police involved in this case. It is my belief that this is much more common that what is reported in the news. Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to get police or corporate support for investigations of this scale.

Anybody have further details on this case? Want to discuss it? Have a similar story? Please add your comments below.

Source: Masslive.com

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A couple of weeks ago, we did a short article about the dangers of working in loss prevention. In that article, I noted several recent incidents of violence against LP personnel by shoplifters. Then, just a few days later, Greg Wainio was dragged to death by shoplifters Samantha Lomasny and James Woodworth while they tried to escape after shoplifting from a Kmart in Waterford Township, MI. Today, there are more incidents to report.

In Detroit, MI, Felicia Annette Roberson allegedly bit a Sears loss prevention agent twice after she tried to steal a $500 home entertainment center from the store. When the LP Agent confronted her, she fought and ended up biting the agent twice before being subdued. The agent was treated for the bite wounds.

In Columbia, MO, Kimberly L. Brown fought with Macy’s LP agents when she was confronted for stealing 2 pairs of jeans. Brown was charged with 2nd Degree Robbery. The story indicates this was the second incident in a week where shoplifters fought with Macy’s LP.

In Rockdale, GA, Charles E. Blanton, 48, of 65 Eleanor Drive was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and theft by shoplifting after he pulled a box knife on a Walmart LP agent and escaped after being detained for stealing two pillowcases, one measuring spoon, a bra and a package of dress socks, valued at $49.

So, does this represent an increase in violent activity directed toward loss prevention agents? I don’t know. I haven’t done any scientific studies to determine this, but it would be interesting to see one. Working in loss prevention as long as I have, I also know that there are many incidents where shoplifters fight LP that don’t even make the news.

If violent shoplifters are on the rise, what are the causes? Is it the economic pressures put on people causing them to behave more desperately? Are retailers properly training and supporting LP agents to make good decisions when offenders turn violent? Are LP agents being given the tools to conduct follow up investigations and work with police and prosecutors to successfully prosecute shoplifters who “get away”.  Do laws need to be more strict, or at least more strictly enforced when it comes to shoplifters who turn violent? It’s probably a combination, but I’d love to hear what you think. Write your comments below so we can explore this issue.

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I don’t make these up, folks.

In Sacramento, CA, 38-year-old grandma Felicia Renee Harris walked into a local Marshall’s and boosted over $100 in men’s clothing by concealing them under her baby granddaughter, who was in a stroller.

When  Harris was approached by loss prevention, she attacked, using the baby and stroller as a weapon, and then letting the stroller, with baby inside, roll across the parking lot. Police stated that she bit, scratched and kicked the loss prevention officer.

Here’s the good news about this whole mess. A Good Samaritan grabbed up the baby and kept her until police arrived. Harris was arrested and held on $1 million dollars bail. She is charged with robbery, probation violation, and child endangerment.

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A study released in December, 2008 shows that many companies are seeing an increase in workplace crime, and specifically, theft related crime. Of course, this just serves to further support what we have already been saying all along. Those of us working in the field don’t really need studies to tell us that there has been a definite increase in internal and external theft issues. But, this does give us some more ammunition, in the form of facts, to help combat the problem.

Awareness, training, accountability; these three are still the keys to reducing incidents, and to catching internal theft early. Many companies are increasing their audit cadence this year so that issues can, hopefully, be identified earlier. Inspecting what we expect has always been a key to success in shrink reduction, but it is much more crucial today.

We face an up-hill battle against shrink, and we have to fight a tougher fight with fewer troops this year. Less eyes in the stores means more opportunities for theft.

Employees who feel the pressures of this down economy, including reduced payroll and benefits, are much more likely to steal from their employers. These thefts can range anywhere from simple time theft to multi-thousand dollar embezzlements. Loss Prevention MUST, not only expect this, but get out in front of this issue and be proactive in efforts to discourage disgruntled employees from causing a “bad to worse” scenario for retailers.

As always, comments are welcome

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Asia Jordan allegedly attempted to steal more than $300.00 from her local Walmart in Covedale, OH by stuffing the merchandise into her 2-year-old daughter’s stroller. When store Loss Prevention agents approached her, she ran off, leaving the stroller and her child behind.

She was arrested a short time later and charged with shoplifting and child endangerment.

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