Macy’s Erupts in Violence as Alleged Shoplifting Confrontation Ends with Worker Injured, Two Arrested
A mother and daughter from Queens were arrested after an alleged attempted theft at the Manhasset Macy’s escalated into violence. Police say the pair concealed merchandise in a reusable bag and tried to leave without paying. When confronted by security, the younger suspect allegedly threatened an employee and shoved him to the ground, injuring his arm. She now faces robbery and assault charges, while the older suspect was charged with larceny-related offenses.
‘Lego bandit’ accused in bizarre $34K scheme replacing minifigures with pasta
California police arrested a man accused of running a nationwide refund scam involving Lego sets and dried pasta. Investigators say he bought Lego kits from Target stores, removed valuable minifigures and pieces, then stuffed the boxes with pasta before returning them for refunds. Authorities linked him to around 70 thefts totaling roughly $34,000 in losses. Detectives identified the suspect through surveillance and booked him on grand theft charges.
USDA disqualifies 1,562 retailers, prevents $835 million in fraudulent SNAP transactions
The USDA says it has removed 1,562 retailers from the SNAP program and disabled 760 illegal point-of-sale devices. Officials say those enforcement actions prevented nearly $835 million in fraudulent transactions. SNAP retailer fraud can include trafficking benefits for cash, selling ineligible items, or lying during the approval process. Penalties can range from permanent disqualification to criminal prosecution and prison time.
More than 3,000 gift cards recovered in elaborate Houston, Austin area theft scheme
Texas investigators arrested two men accused of stealing and tampering with thousands of gift cards across Houston and Austin. Authorities say the suspects removed protective coverings, copied activation numbers, then placed the cards back on store racks. Once unsuspecting customers loaded money onto the cards, the suspects allegedly used the funds for online purchases. Police recovered more than 3,000 gift cards after searching a hotel room tied to the case.
Return Fraud Is Exploding And AI Is Being Used to Fight Customers
Retailers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to combat a surge in fraudulent returns, which now cost businesses billions annually. AI systems can flag suspicious behavior, compare returned items against original purchases, and detect subtle product swaps that human workers may miss. Some platforms also identify repeat offenders using linked account or address data. As fraud grows, retailers are tightening policies and relying more heavily on automation to protect margins.
Puff Pieces
Monday marks 4/20, the unofficial Cannabis Day
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Face matching may be one of the most talked-about tools in retail, but it is also one of the most misunderstood. You’ve probably heard the same criticisms before: that it costs too much, creates bias concerns, brings legal risk, or is simply too complicated to implement.
In this straight-talk webinar, we’re taking the biggest face matching myths head-on with real-world insights from experts who build it and leaders who use it. If you want facts instead of headlines, and answers instead of assumptions, this is one you won’t want to miss.
The NYPD took a new approach to stopping rampant shoplifting — and it’s already paying off
The NYPD is beating back shoplifting — taking repeat offenders out of commission to help bring retail theft down by 20% so far this year, police officials told The Post this week.
NYPD Chief of Department Michael LiPetri credited the so-far successful citywide crackdown in part to changes in state law pushed by Gov. Kathy Hochul that allowed authorities to more effectively go after serial crooks.
“Throughout the city, we are closing – which means making an arrest – just a few years ago, it was 40%.Now it’s on 50% [of cases].
Smash-and-grab burglars target sports card and comic store in Chicago's Dunning community
Burglars targeted a sports card and comic store in a smash-and-grab in Chicago's Dunning neighborhood early Monday morning.
Chicago police said at 1:54 a.m., two burglars broke the window at Elite Sports Cards and Comics, at 3406A N. Harlem Ave. right off Roscoe Street.
The burglars stole about $100,000 worth of collectibles, according to the owner of the store.
Police said the suspects then drove off in an unknown vehicle.
Grand Central Area detectives were investigating early Monday.
Man arrested, charged with stabbing Walmart employee
A man was arrested Friday for allegedly stabbing a Walmart employee in Bowie, according to the Bowie Police Department.
Police said officers responded to reports of a stabbing at 10:10 p.m. Thursday inside a Walmart in the 3300 block of Crain Highway.
There, officers found a man who had been stabbed in the head, back and arm. He was treated at the scene and then taken to the hospital.
An initial investigation found that the suspect had entered the store when the victim, an employee, approached him and offered to help. Police said the suspect then pulled out a knife and stabbed him multiple times before running away.
Join us for the Retail Crime Legal Briefing Q&A Southeast in partnership with ALTO, where we’ll get into the challenges retailers are facing and the legal strategies that matter most right now. Featuring insights from attorney Charles Bowling, Esq., and Ops Lead Counsel Simon Isham from ALTO, this session will explore the topic from multiple angles to give you a well rounded perspective.
Join the Interactive Live Discussion on May 7, 2026 at 2:00 pm to gain actionable insights on navigating retail crime in today’s landscape.
Amazon drone deliveries go viral for wrong reasons, safety questions emerge
Online shopping has grown dramatically in recent years, and people are increasingly turning to quick commerce for faster delivery. Brands such as Amazon are now looking into drone-based delivery solutions to speed up the Home Air program. The company has been planning faster Prime deliveries for some time, but it appears to be taking longer to implement.
A new viral video circulating on social media depicts Prime Air drones dropping packages from heights of several feet onto hard surfaces. This video has raised concerns about product damage, as well as larger safety issues. While it may appear that lowering the drop height would solve the problem, experts believe the situation is more complex.
Los Angeles firefighters say fires inside retail cargo containers on trains are connected to theft
LA Fire Department investigators say that a pair of fires that broke out inside Amazon cargo containers being hauled through downtown Los Angeles in back-to-back weeks are possibly connected to a theft operation.
The first blaze was reported at around 5:20 a.m. on Thursday, April 9 as the train moved through the Union Pacific rail yard near the 3900 block of E. Valley Boulevard, according to LAFD crews. They said that it took just over an hour to fully extinguish the flames, which had engulfed dozens of Amazon packages. Despite being aware of the fire, crews said that the train's engineer continued to drive the train into the rail yard so that they could easily access the container and extinguish the flames.
Woman, 20, shot in the neck by boyfriend outside Target store
Police are searching for a man who allegedly shot his 20-year-old girlfriend in the neck outside a Staten Island Target on Friday morning, sources said.
The woman was ambushed in front of the Target at 2873 Richmond Ave. near the Staten Island Mall in New Springville at around 7:35 a.m., according to the NYPD.
The victim’s boyfriend, believed to be in his 20s, allegedly shot her in the neck on her way into work at Target, sources said. She was rushed to the hospital in stable condition.
There have been no arrests, and the investigation is ongoing. The suspect was last seen fleeing on a motorcycle eastbound on Yukon Avenue towards Forest Hill Road, sources said.
The Director, Supply Chain Asset Protection is responsible for leading and managing all Asset Protection strategies and programs across Nordstrom’s Supply Chain, including Distribution and Fulfillment Centers, and the protection of assets to and from location sites. This role ensures the safety and security of company assets, people, and facilities while driving shortage reduction, compliance, and operational excellence. The Director will partner with Supply Chain leadership and cross-functional teams to implement best practices, manage investigations, and oversee physical security systems.
Lawmakers to debate bill strengthening protections for retail, food service workers
Lawmakers will debate a bill Monday (Apr. 20) that could give stronger protections for employees behind the counter.
House Bill 1238 would create more fines and jail time for workplace violence against retail or food service workers.
The measure also calls for Louisiana Works to create signs that businesses can put up letting customers know the consequences of violence against employees, which would be simple assault or simple battery charges.
Harsher penalties include a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail for simple assault, or a $2,000 fine and up to two years for simple battery.
‘Credit Card Chaos’? Financial Institutions Bet Big on Repeal of First-Of-Its-Kind Illinois Law
“Credit cards may not work for sales tax or tips starting July 1.”
By now, you’ve heard that claim, but whether it’s true depends on who you ask.
The ads — funded by the Electronic Payments Coalition of banks, credit unions and card companies — argue that Illinois lawmakers must repeal the state’s first-in-the-nation Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, slated to take effect July 1. That law prohibits financial institutions from charging “swipe,” or interchange, fees on the tax and tip portions of consumer bills and bans them from making up the fees elsewhere.
If it’s not repealed? “Credit card chaos” may ensue, the ads warn.
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