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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According to the latest NRF survey, U.S. Retailers probably lost around $9.6 billion to refund fraud in 2009. $2.7 billion of that was lost through the holidays alone. The survey also found that 69% of retailers had changed their refund policy specifically to address refund fraud issues.

The top two methods of refund fraud were returning of stolen merchandise (93% experienced) and returning of merchandise purchased with fraudulent or stolen tender (75% experienced).

So, how does it work? Typically, there are at least two groups involved with these schemes. The boosters shoplift (steal) the merchandise, and the refunders return the stolen merchandise for cash or store credits. In some cases the refunders use counterfeit receipts. There have even been cases where crafty thieves have come into a store and completed an exchange of items, but making a very small purchase so that they pay a small amount. With some retailers, this produces a cash receipt which can then be used to return the exchanged items at another location, or in the same location at a different time, for cash.

Usually, the same people who steal the merchandise will not also return it for fear of being recognized, etc. This is not always the case, though. However, the more organized teams will send someone else into the store to do the return. Since they know that stores now collect ID information for non-receipted returns in a lot of cases, they will often have several people who can go into different establishments and return the stolen merchandise. It takes a good deal of work to establish enough evidence in these cases to be able to successfully prosecute, but it can and is being done.  Anybody want to share success (or failure) stories?

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On December 15th, in Watertown, NY, Nicholas R. Peets, 25, and Misty M. VanEpps, also 25, got away with over $1000.00 in merchandise from their local Walmart. Apparently they forgot some things on their Christmas list, so they went back to the Walmart on December 20th to finish up their holiday shoplifting. Problem is, Walmart loss prevention had their pictures from the December 15th incident. When these two geniuses got caught for shoplifting $168 on December 20th, they were also charged with the $1000.00 from the previous incident.

Uhhhh, it’s called Closed Circuit Television, and video can now be saved indefinitely on digital media. If you were seen, you didn’t get away with it.

Another win for the good guys.

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Orland Park officials are considering a measure that would allow police to impound vehicles of shoplifters who steal more than $150.00 in merchandise. I say “Way to go”.

I have always said, and written here on the Bunker Blog, that shoplifters’ vehicles should become taxpayer property, especially if they use that vehicle to flee from police after shoplifting.

This measure won’t do that, but it will cause the shoplifter to pay $500 to get their vehicle back. It’s a start.

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