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Retail’s Most Wanted takes a deep dive into the world of organized retail crime, and how retailers and policymakers are fighting against today’s organized crime syndicates. Each episode takes you inside the most recent headlines related to ORC as we talk with attorneys general and retail security specialists, giving us an inside look at what they’re up against and how they are fighting back.
60 Episodes
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Organized retail crime continues to pressure retailers nationwide, and the role of private security is changing fast. In the latest episode of Retail’s Most Wanted, WGS Group CEO Marcus Skeen breaks down what’s shifting on the ground and why deterrence still matters. Why it matters Even with tougher penalties in some states, ORC remains a daily operational issue. Shrink, safety concerns, and store disruptions continue to ripple across the industry. What Skeen is seeing Threat levels may have ...
The big picture: Retailers and law enforcement are collaborating in ways they weren’t just a few years ago. On the latest episode of Retail’s Most Wanted, Marty Carpenter talks with Matt Kelley, SVP at LV, about how real-time data and smarter partnerships are reshaping the response to organized retail crime (ORC). Why it matters ORC continues to rise, but the industry’s ability to respond is strengthening. Kelley says momentum is picking up as retailers, police, and solution providers share i...
West Jordan, Utah, is growing fast — and so is its exposure to organized retail crime (ORC). With new developments, big-box clusters, and major highways cutting through the area, law enforcement faces a challenge that extends far beyond city lines. Why it matters: ORC isn’t about one-off shoplifters. It’s organized networks targeting retailers across jurisdictions, and the costs ultimately reach consumers through higher prices and tighter margins. The challenge: West Jordan’s retail corridors...
What’s happening: Taylorsville Police Chief Brady Cottam says organized retail crime (ORC) is keeping officers busy and driving up costs for consumers — even if it doesn’t always make headlines. Why it matters: ORC drains local police resources and impacts prices across communities. With major retailers like Target and Walmart in Taylorsville, Cottam says the issue is both local and regional — requiring coordination across city lines. Big picture: Collaboration across jurisdictions and with r...
Why it matters: Organized retail crime (ORC) isn’t petty theft — it’s a complex, fast-evolving threat that touches everything from consumer prices to workplace safety. Amber Bradley, founder of TalkLP News, says it’s time for the industry to start talking honestly about it. The big picture: Bradley launched TalkLP to cut through decades of “fluff” in loss prevention news. Her mission: give LP professionals quick, unscripted insights that help them stay ahead of evolving threats — and strength...
The Big Picture Organized retail crime (ORC) is evolving fast—blending in-store theft with digital fraud. Retailers making progress through tougher laws, AI, and collaboration, but big gaps remain. Key Challenges Retailers still silo store vs. e-comm investigationsORC definition is outdated, focused mainly on physical theftToo many platforms for intelligence sharing—no single standardAI fraud tactics (deepfakes, social engineering) are advancing rapidlyEmerging Solutions AI video analytics fo...
The Big Picture Former Utah Commissioner of Public Safety Jess Anderson discusses the growing challenges in retail crime and law enforcement's technological gap. By the Numbers Shoplifting has surged 94% since 201914% increase from 2024 to 2025 aloneKey Challenges Government agencies lag 3-5 steps behind criminal elements and private sectorLegal restrictions on using advanced technology like facial recognition and AILimited ability to share data between private sector and law enforcementIncre...
Why it matters: Dr. Read Hayes, Director of the Loss Prevention Research Council, explains how modern surveillance technology impacts crime prevention, particularly in retail settings. Key findings: Surveillance platforms offer three core benefits: Deterrence (visible presence), detection (through audio and visual sensors), and documentation (evidence collection).Modern systems outperform legacy tech: Higher resolution, day/night capability, and networked integration dramatically improve susp...
Why it matters: Utah's Organized Retail Crime Association has pioneered collaborative approaches to combat sophisticated retail theft since 2012, well ahead of the national spotlight on this issue. By the numbers: Established in 2012 when loss prevention officers noticed increasing sophistication in retail theftFocuses on repeat offenders and organized crime rather than typical shopliftingWill host its annual conference on October 1, 2025The big picture: UTORCA's success relies on real-time c...
Why It Matters Utah Attorney General Derek Brown is building on established foundations to combat organized retail crime through strategic collaborations and enhanced enforcement techniques. Key Insights The Attorney General's office has assigned specific agents to monitor retail crime despite limited resourcesUtah's CASE (Crimes Against State Economy) Task Force coordinates retailers, law enforcement, and policymakersRecent legislative enhancements allow for charge aggregation, making prosec...
Why it matters: California, the world's fourth-largest economy, has implemented the most significant retail theft package in state history, with 11 bills designed to combat organized retail crime. Key achievements: Established California's first organized retail crime felony (2018)Created statewide ORC task forces through California Highway PatrolExpanded task forces from three to five, covering the entire stateImplemented cross-jurisdictional prosecution capabilitiesExpanded probable cause f...
In this episode of Retail's Most Wanted, Detective Roland Burk of the Orem Police Department reveals how a Monday morning email led to breaking a major ORC case spanning multiple states with over $100,000 in stolen merchandise. Why it matters This case demonstrates how information sharing between law enforcement agencies across state lines can successfully disrupt organized retail crime operations that target multiple locations. The big picture A BOLO (Be On the Lookout) alert from Michigan c...
Why it matters: ILORCA (Illinois Organized Retail Crime Association) represents a novel partnership between retailers and law enforcement to combat rising retail theft in a state uniquely positioned as a logistics hub. By the numbers: Illinois state law sets felony theft at $300Chicago has the third highest volume of cargo thefts in 2025Nationwide cargo thefts have more than doubled to 338 reports monthlyWhat's working: ILORCA uses real-time intelligence sharing platform Auror to connect reta...
The big picture Heritage Grocers Group operates 65+ stores across multiple banners in California, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, and Illinois, taking a localized approach to asset protection while leveraging technology and law enforcement partnerships. Why it matters Their multi-layered security strategy balances asset protection with customer experience, particularly in diverse communities with varying security needs. Key insights Focus on individual theft rather than organized retail crimeStrong e...
Why it matters: Melissa Wacha, leading asset protection at Meijer, shares insights on fighting retail crime through technology integration and law enforcement partnerships. Key takeaways: Technology integration is crucial: Meijer focuses on creating a "single pane of glass" system to streamline investigations and evidence gathering across multiple software platformsMulti-jurisdictional challenges: Coordinating between different law enforcement agencies requires consistent documentation and st...
The big picture: Home Depot is taking an aggressive stance against retail crime while prioritizing customer and employee safety. Notable initiatives: Deploying off-duty police officers and patrol carsInstalling new camera technology and license plate readersBuilding strong relationships with local, state, and federal law enforcementKey challenges: Rising frequency and aggression of retail crimeAnonymous fencing through peer-to-peer marketplacesWhat's next: Home Depot is supporting legislation...
Why it matters: Vancouver Police Department's innovative approaches to retail crime offer insights into successful public-private partnerships and emerging challenges in retail theft investigation. The big picture: Shifting terminology: Officials are moving away from "shoplifting" terminology as it understates the organized nature of retail crimeMulti-agency cooperation: Success requires collaboration between retailers, police, and courtsTechnology challenges: Video format compatibility and e...
The big picture: A detailed look into how law enforcement investigates organized retail crime, highlighting the complex web of technology, cross-jurisdictional collaboration, and investigative techniques needed to solve these cases. Investigation Challenges Pattern recognition: Investigators piece together criminal behaviors, including shopping patterns and preferred locationsMultiple jurisdictions: Cases often span across different states and require coordination between multiple law enforce...
Key Takeaway The Michigan FORCE Team is making significant strides in combating retail crime through multi-jurisdictional operations. Why it matters The team's integrated approach, with embedded prosecutors and cross-state collaboration, is creating a replicable model for organized retail crime units. What's next The team identified three key needs to expand their impact: Additional prosecutors (currently have 2, need 4-5)Fiscal analyst for money trackingMore storage space for seized goodsThe...
The big picture: Axon has expanded beyond law enforcement body cameras into private sector applications, with significant success in retail and healthcare settings. By the numbers: 40%+ reduction in escalation incidents reported by customers using body camerasMultiple form factors and customization options available for different industriesKey innovations: Sleeker, smaller design than law enforcement versionsCustomizable faceplates to match company uniformsVarious mounting options including m...
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