FBI says it disrupted a New Year’s Eve attack plan inspired by Islamic State group
The FBI announced it disrupted a potential New Year’s Eve attack in the United States that was allegedly inspired by the Islamic State group. Authorities say the suspect showed signs of radicalization and intent to carry out violence tied to extremist ideology. Federal investigators intervened before the plan could be executed, citing coordinated intelligence and monitoring efforts. The case underscores ongoing concerns about lone-actor threats and the importance of proactive counterterrorism operations.
Father fights off kidnapper trying to grab child at Walmart
A father intervened after an individual allegedly attempted to grab his child inside a Walmart store. According to reports, the father physically confronted the suspect, preventing the child from being taken. Law enforcement responded to the incident and launched an investigation into the attempted abduction. The event highlights persistent concerns around situational awareness and safety in busy retail environments.
Woman causes $10 million in damages after allegedly lighting baby cribs on fire
A fire at a Walmart store caused millions of dollars in damage after an arson suspect allegedly ignited baby cribs using flammable materials. Authorities say the fire spread quickly, forcing an evacuation and causing extensive structural and merchandise loss. Investigators believe the suspect intentionally set the blaze and was later arrested. The incident raises serious questions about arson risks, emergency response, and store safety protocols during peak shopping periods.
Gun-wielding goons take off with boxes of Apple loot during brazen heist at bougie Long Island mall
Armed thieves reportedly carried out a bold theft at a Long Island location, stealing boxes of Apple products before fleeing the scene. Witnesses said the suspects displayed firearms, escalating the incident beyond typical retail theft. Law enforcement described the crime as organized and targeted, suggesting prior planning. The heist reflects a growing trend of high-risk, high-value retail theft involving intimidation and weapons.
Modesto WinCo shoplifting incident leaves 2 loss prevention officers injured; 1 suspect at large
Two loss prevention officers were injured while attempting to stop a shoplifting incident at a WinCo store in Modesto. The confrontation escalated, resulting in physical injuries that required medical attention. Police responded to the scene and pursued charges related to the incident. The event highlights the increasing danger frontline retail and loss prevention personnel face when theft incidents turn violent.
TalkLP NYC is happening next week during the NRF BIG Show, bringing retail leaders together for an evening built around real conversation and meaningful connections. No presentations, no panels, just the people shaping retail safety, security, and operations in one room. It’s a chance to step away from the noise of the show floor and actually talk shop. RSVP now to secure your spot.
Operation Naughty List: Police in North Carolina Arrest 78 in Undercover Shoplifting Sting
Shoppers browsing the aisles of Target and Walmart in a North Carolina city this holiday season may have been standing next to undercover officers without realizing it. The Gastonia PD announced the results last week of a targeted law enforcement initiative aimed at curbing retail crime that resulted in dozens of arrests.
Between Nov. 28 and Dec. 19, the Gastonia Police Department deployed its Street Crimes Unit to high-theft retail locations for an initiative dubbed “Operation Naughty List.” According to a press release, the crackdown resulted in 78 arrests and a total of 154 charges, ranging from misdemeanor larceny to drug possession.
$56K in merchandise stolen from Target stores; suspect arrested in Boston
A Boston man arrested on a shoplifting charge is suspected of being linked to more than $56,000 worth of thefts from Target stores across multiple states, according to police.
Long Tran, 54, of Dorchester, was arrested last week after being stopped by security personnel at a Target in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood.
Shortly before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, police were called about a shoplifting incident at the store. Police were told by the store’s loss prevention officers that a “known shoplifting suspect” was seen hiding 27 bottles of lotion inside a large duffel bag, according to the Boston Police Department.
Milestone for Amazon Just Walk Out: last week’s biggest technology plays at a glance
Madison DeFranco, Senior Technical Business Development, Just Walk Out Technology at AWS, said: “2025 was a milestone year for AWS Just Walk Out technology, and I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished in higher education.”
She added: “Just a little over three years ago, we launched our first collegiate store at Texas A&M University. Today, we're opening our 71st store at Loyola University New Orleans. This year alone, we added 19 new stores across 12 campuses, bringing our total to 49 campuses nationwide where students, staff, and fans experience frictionless shopping powered by Amazon Just Walk Out technology.”
Smarter tools, stronger protection, and real results
Loss prevention (LP) professionals are leading the next wave of retail innovation — and AI is transforming how they protect stores, people, and profits.
Modern video analytics go far beyond motion detection, spotting loitering, suspicious movement, and high-theft behavior across multiple camera feeds — alerting teams in real time instead of relying on manual monitoring.
Exception-based reporting pinpoints anomalies like excessive voids, irregular discounts, and suspicious returns, allowing LP teams to focus on true risks instead of sifting through thousands of transactions.
With predictive modeling, AI can even forecast when and where shrinkage is most likely to occur — helping leaders allocate staff and resources proactively.
By integrating with POS, inventory, and scheduling systems, AI provides a complete, data-driven view of loss prevention. It doesn’t replace human judgment — it empowers it with sharper insights and faster responses.
Start small, measure impact, and scale confidently.
Oklahoma cracks down on organized retail theft with new law targeting crime rings
Business owners across Oklahoma are breathing a sigh of relief as new legislation targets organized retail theft rings that have cost local stores thousands of dollars.
Ashley Ryan, who has owned Stash Apparel on Peoria for 16 years, knows firsthand the devastating impact of organized theft. Her store has been repeatedly targeted by thieves, including an incident that resulted in $5,000 in merchandise loss.
Workplace harassment: A silent crisis undermining dignity, productivity, and growth
What makes this issue especially corrosive is how it begins subtly, persists unchecked, and steadily erodes safety, productivity, and trust in workplaces nationwide.
Harassment rarely starts as an overt violation. It often appears as repeated humiliating remarks, sexually suggestive comments disguised as humor, pressure to be available beyond work hours, or exclusion justified as "performance management."
2026 will prove whether AI checkout is here to stay
2025 showed that more shoppers were eager and willing to start their shopping journeys on AI engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity.
Estimates vary, but surveys show that anywhere from 33% to 83% of respondents used AI to do their holiday shopping, including soliciting product recommendations. Now, 2026 will be the year that proves whether shoppers have gotten comfortable enough with the technology to click “buy” within these AI platforms.
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Leeds detectives identify suspect in fraud case
A California woman accused of carrying out a widespread credit and debit card fraud scheme has been arrested following a multistate investigation led by the Leeds Police Department.
Police said a victim reported Dec. 15, 2025, that her credit or debit card had been used fraudulently at multiple retail locations across Alabama. By the time the theft was reported, investigators said the victim had lost more than $12,000.
Detectives with the Leeds Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit identified the suspect as 48-year-old Yuan Liu of San Gabriel, California. Investigators later determined Liu had traveled into Mississippi.
Smarter Video Security for Elevated Store Operations
Theft, workplace injuries, and fraud at self-checkouts create a plethora of issues that grocery stores deal with every day. Cloud video surveillance provides powerful tools and features designed to solve these problems through simplified multi-location management, strengthened store security, and reduced shrink.
Download the complete infographic to learn more about the complex and difficult challenges affecting the grocery industry, as well as the solutions tailored to fortifying store security for better protection of customers, employees, and assets.
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