Organized Retail Crime Unit marks first year with arrests and recoveries

Attorney General Dave Sunday recently met with Philadelphia-area law enforcement and community partners to review the first-year achievements of the Office of Attorney General's Organized Retail Crime Unit. The unit, established on July 1, 2024, following Act 42 (of 2023), targets high-value retail thefts exceeding $50,000, now classified as a first-degree felony.

In its inaugural year, the unit initiated over 65 investigations and charged more than 40 individuals accused of theft. It successfully recovered nearly $2 million in stolen merchandise. The unit addresses significant theft incidents often carried out by groups exploiting gift cards and store policies or executing swift mass thefts from retail locations.

"This unit is aggressively pursuing thieves who operate in packs, oftentimes terrorizing purely innocent store employees and shoppers," Attorney General Sunday stated. "The perception that retail theft is a petty crime is outdated, as these crimes are violent in nature and designed to menace and frighten bystanders. With the help of our partners, we have made big strides in stopping these criminal enterprises, and sending a strong message to anyone thinking of committing these crimes."

Other speakers at the event included Chief Deputy AG Patrick Schulte, Sgt Logan Brouse from the Pennsylvania State Police, Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore from the Philadelphia Police Department, Lt Declan Coyle from Upper Merion Township Police, and Alex Baloga, President/CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association.