Video: Madera jewelry store owner opens fire on group of masked robbers
After suffering a violent robbery and beating, a jewelry store owner in Madera, California, has reopened his business with renewed resolve. Despite fears and the trauma of the incident, he chose to rebuild rather than relocate—seeing the move as a stand against crime in his community. Security upgrades and surveillance footage now play a central role in his efforts to protect staff and inventory. The reopening signals both resilience and a commitment to not let the incident define the future of his shop.
Couple Admits to Nearly $1M Lululemon Theft Scheme Spanning Multiple States
In Minnesota, a couple pleaded guilty for their roles in a $1M organized retail theft scheme that spanned multiple states and targeted Lululemon stores, including one in Roseville. Their operation involved brazen thefts of high-end apparel, swift reselling, and careful travel coordination to evade law enforcement. The guilty pleas mark one of the first major cases prosecuted under Minnesota’s 2023 law targeting large-scale retail theft rings. Upcoming sentencing will test the statute’s force in deterring similar theft sprees.
California woman arrested in Michigan for alleged retail fraud scheme
A California woman was arrested in Michigan as part of an organized retail crime sweep that allegedly included gift card fraud worth more than $10,000. Authorities say she drove from California to Southeast Michigan, visited nearly a dozen stores, and used stolen credit card information to purchase large amounts of store credit. Law enforcement described the arrest as part of a broader crackdown on cross-border retail fraud. The case underscores the growing mobility of fraud rings and the need for multi-state cooperation in tackling them.
2 workers shot by angry customer at Queens discount store, police say
Employees at a discount store in Queens were shot after confronting a disgruntled customer over a discount policy violation. The incident escalated rapidly when the customer pulled a gun and opened fire, wounding two staff members before fleeing the scene. Police are reviewing surveillance footage and seeking witnesses who may have recorded the chaotic moments leading up to the shooting. The attack has prompted renewed scrutiny of frontline retail safety protocols and employee protection measures.
Woman accused of trying to run over dollar store employee after being caught shoplifting
In Louisiana, a woman is facing charges after allegedly attempting to run over a Dollar Store employee with her vehicle when confronted for shoplifting. Investigators say the employee flagged her after witnessing suspicious behavior, and the suspect responded by driving toward them before fleeing the scene. The incident ended in a police pursuit and the suspect’s arrest. Observers note that such violent reactions to shoplifting highlight increasingly volatile risks retail workers face on the front lines.
Looking for an AI Expert? Look no further. TalkLPNews Host Amber Bradley sits down with Brent Boekestein from OpenEye to talk AI, automation, and the future of LP and AP. Brent shares three pillars for 2030 success: people, tech, and data, plus why digital agents are taking over the boring stuff while humans focus on the juicy, high-value work. If you’ve been worried AI will steal your job, Brent’s got a plan to make it your new sidekick instead.
Tobacco, lotto tickets, wine and snacks: Unarmed man accused of taking $38K in retail theft scheme
A Washington man has been arrested for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of tobacco products, lotto tickets and wine from Portland convenience stores in recent months.
Vancouver man Timothy Ray Jones, 54, faces three counts of aggravated theft in the first degree and three counts of organized retail theft after he and his associates allegedly stole thousands of dollars worth of tobacco at a time from several Plaid Pantry locations.
On 30 separate occasions Jones and his accomplices walked behind the counter of Plaid Pantry convenience stores in Portland and nabbed tobacco products, lotto tickets, wine and snacks totaling $38,094.20 in value, according to court documents.
Verizon Slashes 20,000 Jobs and Converts Retail Stores to Franchises in Dramatic Restructuring
Verizon's recent announcement to potentially cut up to 20,000 jobs marks one of the largest layoffs in the history of the technology sector.
This drastic decision is part of Verizon's plan to restructure its workforce in response to the mounting challenges faced by the telecommunications industry.
The company also plans to transform 180 to 200 of its retail stores into franchises, a move that signifies a strategic shift in its retail operations according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The magnitude of the layoffs is significant as it equals some of the largest recent reductions in workforce announced by major tech firms like Google and Amazon.
Former Qualcomm executive sentenced to prison for $180M fraud scheme
A former Qualcomm vice president has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for an elaborate $180 million fraud scheme that prosecutors say betrayed his employer and made him wealthy through years of deception.
Dr. Karim Arabi, once a senior leader in Qualcomm’s Research and Development division, was sentenced on Oct. 28, 2025, in San Diego federal court. Chief U.S. District Judge Cynthia A. Bashant also ordered Arabi to forfeit more than $45 million, along with luxury properties in Canada and Norway, and to pay $100.8 million in restitution to Qualcomm.
Judge Bashant described Arabi’s actions as “breathtaking in its dishonesty.”
Holiday Theft: What You May Be Missing from Your Security Checklist
With the holiday shopping season approaching, retailers face what may be considered their most challenging time of year for theft prevention. While increased foot traffic brings welcomed sales, it also creates unprecedented security challenges requiring more than traditional measures.
By the Numbers
According to the Council on Criminal Justice, theft during the 2024 holiday months increased 14% compared to other times of the year, the most significant difference observed during the analyzed time frame.
While clothing and accessories remain top targets, retailers and grocers also experience significant spikes in theft of everyday items. The trend encompasses traditional shoplifting, pushout theft, and an alarming increase in organized retail crime (ORC). These continued trends helped make October 24 National Fight Retail Crime Day, as recognized by the National Retail Federation.
Man arrested after allegedly setting fire to merchandise inside York Walmart
A 20-year-old man was arrested Sunday after admitting to setting merchandise on fire inside a Walmart, police said.
York Police responded to a report of arson at a Walmart located at 101 W. David Dr. at approximately 11:26 a.m. Officers found a man who admitted to starting the fire, according to police.
The preliminary investigation showed the suspect entered the store intending to start a fire. He used items inside the store to ignite merchandise before leaving the area, police said.
Officers arrested the man shortly after and booked him into York County Corrections.
Amazon lawsuit could be a warning to other employers
People who don’t work for Amazon might see a headline about the company’s employment practices and think: Who cares?
Employers that are smaller than Amazon, or in a different sector, might think the same thing.
But if history is a guide, Amazon’s workplace trends often influence how other businesses operate.
For example, when Amazon announced in 2024 that it would require a five-day in-office schedule, dozens of companies followed suit, including Salesforce, Dell, and JPMorgan Chase.
How AI Tech Helps Scale Forgery and Industrialize Fraud
Generative artificial intelligence has made high-quality document forgery fast, scalable and accessible.
"Back in the day, you had to be a graphical expert to edit these documents. Now it is just a couple of prompts away," said Jan Indra, threat intelligence investigator at Resistant AI.
This ease of use has fueled the growth of fraud-as-a-service operations.
Organized groups now sell downloadable templates and preloaded accounts, using SEO, backlinking and messaging apps to operate like legitimate businesses.
The Safety Manager for Nouria/Enmarket is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing comprehensive safety programs and procedures across multiple store locations in GA, NC and SC. This crucial role ensures a safe and secure environment for team members and guests, minimizes workplace hazards, prevents accidents, and ensures compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local safety, health, and environmental regulations. The Safety Manager will work closely with the Director of Safety, store general managers, regional leadership, and team members to foster a strong safety culture and continuously improve safety performance within the convenience store environment.
Let's Talk Retail : How Produce Recognition Tech is Revolutionizing Self-Checkout
This episode of Let’s Talk Retail explores how AI-powered produce recognition is transforming grocery checkout. Toshiba’s Johanna Hinkle explains how smart vision systems identify unlabeled items, speed transactions, reduce shrink, and improve accuracy to create a faster and more seamless shopping experience.
In this video, Johanna Hinkle, Director of AI and Automation Solutions at Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, explores how produce recognition technology is transforming the self-checkout experience.
Making AI Affordable: Retail’s Smart Path to Smarter Security
In the rapidly evolving world of retail AI, there's a common misconception: sophisticated technology must come with astronomical costs. SAI Group is proving that wrong - not by cutting corners, but by building smarter from the ground up.
While first-generation AI solutions were built on hardware-heavy architectures that locked retailers into expensive infrastructure, SAI bypassed those limitations entirely. Their platform leverages advanced, lightweight technology that delivers the same—or better—results with a fraction of the hardware footprint.
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.
