Police bust $100k retail theft ring
Santa Monica police announced the dismantling of an organized retail theft ring responsible for more than $100,000 in stolen merchandise across multiple stores. Investigators say the suspects coordinated repeated thefts, targeting high-value goods and reselling them through secondary markets. The arrests followed a multi-week investigation involving surveillance, cooperation with retailers, and tracking of stolen property. Authorities emphasized that the case highlights the growing sophistication of organized retail crime and the importance of retailer–law enforcement partnerships.
Warning! Scammers Claiming to Be Walmart & Local Law Enforcement
Law enforcement is warning residents about a phone scam in which callers impersonate Walmart Security or local law enforcement to trick people into revealing personal information. Scammers may use partial personal details — like the last four digits of a Social Security number — to sound credible and claim they are investigating a suspicious purchase tied to the victim’s account. In some cases, the fraudsters even spoof official numbers and pose as deputies or detectives to increase pressure and extract sensitive data or demand payments through untraceable methods such as gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Authorities stress that real retailers and law enforcement will never demand immediate payment or request Social Security numbers or bank details over unsolicited calls, and urge anyone receiving such calls to hang up and report them to the FTC.
Shoplifter gunfight leaves 2 seriously injured
A suspected shoplifting incident in Jacksonville escalated into a gunfight that left two people injured, prompting an ongoing police investigation. Authorities say the confrontation began after a theft attempt and quickly turned violent when firearms were discharged. Both injured individuals were transported for medical treatment, and their conditions have not been fully disclosed. Police are now asking the public for assistance identifying additional suspects and witnesses connected to the incident.
Bystander drives getaway car into jewelry store to stop armed robbery
Police are searching for multiple suspects following an armed robbery at a jewelry store in Petaluma in which a bystander allegedly assisted as a getaway driver. Investigators say the suspects entered the store armed, stole merchandise, and fled before officers arrived. Surveillance footage suggests at least one additional accomplice helped facilitate the escape. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as they work to identify and apprehend the remaining individuals involved.
Anaheim officer appears to pistol-whip a teen suspect linked to smash-and-grab
Video released by Anaheim police shows an officer striking a teenage suspect with a firearm during the arrest of individuals linked to a smash-and-grab burglary. The footage has prompted public scrutiny and an internal review of the officer’s use of force. Police say the suspect was believed to be connected to a violent retail burglary and that the situation unfolded rapidly during the arrest. Officials have confirmed an investigation is underway to determine whether department policies were followed.
From the Vault: Solve Your Own LP Groundhog Day
TalkLP host Amber Bradley chats with industry-veteran David Lund, MBA, CFI, LPC, when he was Vice President of Loss Prevention for Dick’s Sporting Goods. We talked about how to solve your own LP Groundhog Day…and what David would have told his 20-year-old-car-salesman-self back in the day.
Oh yeah, and work/life balance? Get some insight from “therapists” David and Amber on how to make this work.
He also provides advice for what he looks for (and probably other VPs) in hiring. There’s something for everyone in this one guys….(and girls).
Thieves steal $50K+ of Seattle Seahawks merch during sports store heist
Masked thieves made off with more than $50,000 in Seattle Seahawks merchandise during an early morning heist at a sports store near Lumen Field.
According to the owner of Pro Image Sports, the burglary occurred shortly before 4 a.m. at the 1st Avenue South location.
Police said security footage captured three masked suspects breaking through the front door, seizing merchandise, and exiting through the same entrance.
The store also reported approximately $2,300 in property damage due to the break-in.
The suspects managed to flee the scene before police arrived, and no arrests have been made.
$24K Home Depot Fraud Trail Ends With Airport Arrest, Police Say
A months-long retail fraud investigation spanning dozens of store visits and multiple stolen identities has led to the arrest of a New Jersey man now facing a slate of felony charges in Delaware, state police announced.
According to the Delaware State Police, 31-year-old Christian Pacheco of Perth Amboy was arrested following an investigation into alleged identity theft and payment card fraud tied to repeated purchases at Home Depot locations across the state.
Police said the case began in October 2025, when a Home Depot corporate investigator contacted the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Financial Crimes Unit to report suspicious activity involving multiple fraudulent transactions.
CMPD blitz operation at retail stores results in arrests, weapons seized
CMPD’s Organized Retail Crime detectives and Westover Division officers recently conducted a blitz operation with Burlington and TJ Maxx loss-prevention personnel.
During the operation, officers observed two people leaving the store with merchandise without paying.
Officials say the officers caught up with the suspects and searched their vehicle. Officers were able to recover the stolen merchandise along with approximately 11 grams of suspected marijuana. Two firearms were also seized from the vehicle.
Officials say the officers caught up with the suspects and searched their vehicle. Officers were able to recover the stolen merchandise along with approximately 11 grams of suspected marijuana. Two firearms were also seized from the vehicle.
Ashley Barnes has joined ALO as Director of Asset Protection & Safety for North America.
Ashley brings nearly a decade of leadership experience in field asset protection, investigations, and safety, most recently serving as Director of Field Asset Protection at Victra, where she led nationwide strategies focused on theft, fraud, and employee safety. Known for building strong partnerships with law enforcement and cross-functional teams, Ashley has driven large-scale risk mitigation and crisis management programs across multiple regions. We wish her continued success as she begins this new chapter with ALO.
Beyond CCTV: The Power of Cloud Video
The advent of closed-circuit television revolutionized how video was viewed, and soon after, its technology became a staple of the video security industry. However, as a solution first developed nearly 100 years ago, its model has become more and more antiquated as new surveillance solutions innovate the market. Despite the modifications to CCTV that have enhanced it over the years, it’s clear that many businesses continuing to leverage this technology need a solution with additional capabilities to keep up with business demands.
Today, cloud video security provides the flexibility and scalability that past systems couldn’t. With remote connectivity adding to the capabilities of on-site surveillance, and security solutions that can be utilized alongside your platform, such as video analytics, access control, and point-of-sale data, cloud video opens doors to enhanced operations and fortified security in ways that closed-circuit can’t. In this article, we’ll cover how a cloud video surveillance solution can benefit your business and what to consider when taking that next step.
NYC shop owners claim junkies shoplifting, selling goods for drugs: ‘It’s like a parade’
Enough is enough.
Lower East Side residents aren’t the only ones ticked off at the influx of junkies and vagrants at a popular local park — neighborhood storeowners say the bums are robbing them blind.
The gripes come after The Post reported recently that hordes of addicts who were booted from Washington Square Park have found a new home at Sara D. Roosevelt Park smack in the middle of a neighborhood teaming with young families — and hardworking merchants
Strategic Cargo Theft: A Supply Chain Risk Leaders Cannot Ignore
Strategic cargo theft has become one of the fastest-growing supply chain risks in North America. The threat is no longer limited to unattended trucks or to high-crime regions. It now involves fraud-driven, intelligence-driven schemes that exploit operational and digital weaknesses across the entire supply chain.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, cargo theft in the United States is associated with estimated annual losses of up to $ 35 billion.
New Mexico bill moves forward to protect license plate data
The privacy and safety of drivers in New Mexico is fueling a Democratic-backed bill aimed at limiting the sharing of drivers' personal information gathered from technology. Senate Bill 40, titled the Driver Privacy and Safety Act, passed its first assigned Senate committee Thursday on a party-line vote. Specifically, the bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, and several other Democratic legislators would impose regulations and limitations on the sharing of information gathered by automatic license plate readers in New Mexico.
Footwear retail comes with its own set of LP challenges, and this session is all about talking through them openly. Join Amber Bradley and footwear industry peers for an informal, peer-driven discussion focused on the realities loss prevention teams are facing on the ground.
Bring a topic, compare notes, and walk away with practical insight from people who live the same environment every day.
Save your seat now! Register HERE to join the conversation.
Only 8% of LP teams say they're NOT involved in new initiatives beyond traditional security.
That means 92% of your peers are expanding their influence across operations, compliance, analytics, and more.
If you're still fighting to prove ROI with shrink numbers alone, you're already behind.
Join us February 19th at 12:30 PM EST as Frank Patercity (Director, Crisis & Security Consulting, Control Risks), Steve Lindsey (Co-Founder and Chief Strategist, LVT), and I break down what 75% of LP leaders already know: this profession is evolving fast, and the teams that adapt are the ones getting budget, headcount, and C-suite attention. Register HERE
Your content is solid. Your expertise is real. So why aren't you making the impact you should when you speak?
Executive presence isn't a mysterious "it factor"—it's seven specific skills you can learn and practice.
Join us for a practical masterclass on creating the presence that gets you heard, remembered, and taken seriously in any speaking situation.
Rethinking the Price Tag: Why AI May Be More Affordable Than You Think
AI may feel like a luxury for big-budget teams, but it doesn’t have to be. Instead of expensive infrastructure and unpredictable costs, modern AI solutions can be lightweight, efficient, and designed to fit into what retailers already use. The article breaks down how smart architecture, transparent pricing, and practical deployment models make AI more accessible than many teams assume. It also highlights how integrated, cost-conscious AI can drive real value — from smarter loss prevention to clearer operational insights — without derailing your budget. If you’ve been holding off on AI because of price concerns, this is a useful roadmap for thinking about affordable, scalable implementation that actually works for retail.
This Security Leader Is Turning Surging Cyber Threats Into Recurring Revenue
A decade ago, it was just your computer or your phone that was connected to the internet. Today everything from your toaster to your TV has an internet connection.
To make matters worse, AI has made a hacker's job much easier. It used to be that a hacker at least had to take a break to eat or sleep. But now, they can have an AI program running while they get some R&R after a long day of stealing your data.
Finally, quantum computers represent the digital equivalent of nuclear weapons in the cybersecurity arms race. Quantum machines have the theoretical capability to shred even the best encryption in minutes.
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.
