Employee sentenced for stealing 8,000 Gift Cards worth $4M from Home Depot
A Georgia woman was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison after admitting she stole over $4 million worth of gift cards from The Home Depot while employed there. Prosecutors say she used her position to activate thousands of physical gift cards by creating and then deleting false orders to hide the thefts. The fraudulent scheme took place when fewer employees were on site, and was uncovered when Home Depot noticed discrepancies in its gift card inventory records. She was also ordered to pay nearly $4 million in restitution as part of her sentence.
Self-Checkout Scammer Busted After 100-Trip Stealing Spree In Florida
A Riverview man was arrested after an extensive eight-month theft spree at multiple Winn-Dixie grocery store locations in Hillsborough County. Investigators say he used self-checkout kiosks more than 100 times to underpay for items, ultimately stealing nearly $10,000 worth of groceries by manipulating the system. Surveillance footage and a pattern of fraudulent transactions across four stores helped authorities link the thefts to him. He now faces multiple charges, including retail theft and coordinated retail theft, and was already on probation for unrelated offenses when arrested.
Store manager accused of stealing $300K in lottery scratch-off tickets
The manager of a Miami food store was arrested after police say he stole more than $300,000 worth of Florida Lottery scratch-off ticket books over an extended period. Investigators say the scheme unraveled when the company noticed unusual bank withdrawals tied to lottery transactions and missing ticket books, prompting a deeper look by authorities. The manager initially denied involvement but later admitted via text message to taking and cashing in the tickets for personal use. Although he returned part of the money, police estimate the net loss to the business at about $60,000, and he now faces felony fraud and grand theft charges.
$235K Worth of Bluetooth Equipment Reported Stolen from Memphis Warehouse
Nearly 1,700 Bluetooth speakers valued at over $235,000 disappeared from a Memphis warehouse after a suspicious pickup, prompting a police investigation into the incident. The missing shipment, believed to be destined for a Best Buy in California, raised concerns among law enforcement and cargo security experts. Initial reports suggest the use of falsified paperwork may have allowed the perpetrators to collect the goods without proper authorization. Memphis police are working to trace the vehicle and individuals connected to the disappearance.
Bakersfield PD: Three people arrested, tied to nearly $20,000 in retail thefts
The Bakersfield Police Department’s Organized Retail Theft Unit arrested three individuals after a months-long investigation into retail thefts across multiple local stores. Authorities say the trio is responsible for at least a dozen theft incidents at retailers including Home Depot, Big 5, Tractor Supply and Lowe’s, with total losses nearing $20,000. All three were booked into Kern County jail on charges that include organized retail theft and grand theft. The arrests are part of ongoing efforts to combat persistent theft rings in the area.
The buzz on social lately has taken an unexpected turn. Our industry has quietly found a little guilty pleasure in Love Is Blind. Yes, that Love Is Blind.
What began as simple dialogue has shifted into full-blown analysis. People aren’t just watching for the drama. They’re dissecting it. The interrogation-style showdown with Alex has become an unexpected masterclass in questioning tactics, listening, and what happens when psychological safety evaporates in real time.
Some are calling it chaotic reality TV. Others are calling it a case study in communication under pressure.
Either way, admit it. You watched the scene. And you had thoughts. Let’s hear them!
Need to be good at LP? Think like a Scientist.
TalkLP Podcast Host Amber Bradley sits down with Greg Murphy, VP of Risk Management at United Pacific, and honestly… is there anything this guy can’t do? How did Greg started out chasing shoplifters on the floor in the 80s and work his way up to running LP, HR, audit, safety, workers’ comp AND risk management for one of the largest convenience store/QSR chains in the West?
Listen today to understand how to “think like a scientist” to truly shift your focus and possibly how you think!
Suspect arrested after getting stuck in Oak Cliff store he'd previously robbed
A Dallas man has been arrested after getting stuck inside an optical store he was attempting to rob for the third time this year. Gabriel Ybarra was arrested Tuesday night after breaking into Today's Vision Oak Cliff, an optical store that sells high-end frames.
Ybarra had entered through the roof of the building, which set off the building's alarms. When he attempted to leave through the roof where he entered, he became stuck inside.
Dallas police arrested Ybarra and charged him with burglary of a building.
Local expert explains how organized retail crime may affect prices and consumers
Organized retail crime goes beyond a single shoplifting incident, involving groups that steal merchandise from multiple stores with the goal of reselling it for profit — and a CSUB economics professor says the fallout can reach consumers.
“Probably the biggest impact of retail theft is the costs are passed on to the law abiding citizens who buy these products,” said Dr. Richard Gearhart, an economics professor at California State University, Bakersfield.
Ohio lawmaker proposes new penalties for coordinated retail theft
An Ohio lawmaker is seeking to increase criminal penalties for coordinated retail theft, months after a separate law took effect targeting organized retail crime across the state.
Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township) introduced House Bill 615 in November. The measure, dubbed the “Retail Theft Prevention Act,” would create new felony offenses for people who act together to steal merchandise valued at $1,000 or more from one or more retail establishments.
From Optics to Outcomes: Rethinking Pushout Theft Prevention
In 2025, a national grocer tested gates, guards, and Gatekeeper Systems’ Purchek® cart-based technology to address rising pushout theft. While visible controls increased presence at the front of the store, offenders quickly adapted—bypassing gates and exploiting human limitations. High-friction measures influenced shopper flow but did not consistently stop cart-based theft.
In contrast, Purchek®, powered by SmartWheel® technology, delivered automated, measurable intervention by locking carts with unpaid merchandise at defined boundaries. The lesson was clear: real prevention starts at the cart—not the gate.
Man fatally shoots ex-girlfriend, himself at San Jose shopping center parking lot, police say
A man fatally shot a woman before turning the gun on himself at a shopping center parking lot in San Jose on Tuesday, according to police.
The shooting was reported at 11:38 a.m. Tuesday in the parking lot of the El Paseo de Saratoga shopping center near Saratoga and Campbell avenues in West San Jose.
Coworkers and loved ones built a memorial outside of the European Wax Center storefront to remember a 24-year-old woman killed just feet away.
Two accused of stealing $5,000 ring in Boonville as part of multi-state crime spree
Two people have been charged in connection with a theft in Cooper County that was part of a multi-state theft ring.
On Friday, February 20, at 4:20 p.m., two people were accused of stealing a $5,000 gold ring from a Boonville jewelry store.
Court documents state that the two worked together using sleight of hand and distraction to steal the ring.
Prosecutors charged Bazili Anghel and Strugurel Muntean each with one count of Organized Retail Theft {>}$750 {<}$10,000.
Attorney General Jeff Jackson reaches $100M settlement with Walmart
AG Jeff Jackson’s office announced a $100 million multi-state settlement with Walmart over allegations that it deceived customers and drivers who participated in the Spark Driver Program.
Jackson joined a bipartisan group of attorneys general and the FTC in suing Walmart. The company will pay drivers in NC about $2 million for what they lost from the program.
The settlement resolves the allegations that Walmart misrepresented pre-tip amounts, base pay and incentive pay to drivers in the program it has run since 2018.
The Group Director, Asset Protection – Fulfillment Centers is responsible for leading the operations and strategy of the Asset Protection department across Walmart’s Fulfillment Centers. This role ensures the safety, security, and profitability of fulfillment operations by overseeing risk management, crisis response, financial performance, and team leadership. The position fosters a culture of integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement within a fast-paced, high-volume distribution environment.
Taking Retail Tech from Fragmented to Unified
Retail environments are evolving — and so are the tools that protect and connect them.
SmartPost Z™ from CONTROLTEK is a smart multi-sensor storefront device that captures, analyzes, and connects multiple data points across your store to improve security, customer experience, and operational performance.
SmartPost Z™ brings together:
-RFID visibility powered by Zebra Technologies.
-AI-driven video intelligence from Hanwha Vision.
-Advanced time-of-flight (LiDAR) for people counting and behavioral analytics.
-CONTROLTEK's industry-leading EAS technology for product protection.
How Should Businesses Get Started on a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan?
Businesses beginning a workplace violence prevention plan need strong commitment from leadership before any other steps can succeed. It must start with a comprehensive hazard assessment to identify potential risks and tailor prevention strategies accordingly. Early involvement from managers and employees is critical to build ownership and ensure the plan addresses real-world issues. Clear policies, ongoing training, and accessible reporting systems to recognize warning signs is also of high importance. Workplace violence prevention is an ongoing process that requires planning, collaboration and continuous improvement to keep employees safe.
Simply forward this email to your team or colleagues > they scan the QR code or click below to sign up and BOOM > everyone is smarter.
