‘Hellacious gun battle’: Two dead, two police officers wounded after store shooting
A dramatic shootout unfolded on East University Avenue in Gainesville, Florida, during Wednesday morning rush hour, leaving two people dead and two police officers wounded. The violent encounter began shortly before 8 a.m. when officers responded to a shooting report at a local lumber business, where they later found a victim with fatal injuries. As officers attempted to stop a fleeing suspect’s vehicle, the suspect opened fire on them, injuring two officers before being fatally shot by law enforcement. Both wounded officers were hospitalized but expected to recover, and the incident has heightened concerns about violent crime in the busy area near the University of Florida.
House Judiciary Committee Passes Bill Targeting Organized Retail Crime
The House Judiciary Committee marked up and advanced the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, a bipartisan bill designed to strengthen federal tools against retail and supply chain crime. The legislation would create a coordinated federal response center within the Department of Homeland Security to help law enforcement and retailers share information and disrupt complex theft networks. Supporters say the bill responds to rising organized retail and cargo theft that threatens businesses, supply chains, and communities nationwide. Passage through committee represents a major step toward a full House vote and potential federal law to address evolving criminal threats.
Lobsters to tequila: Cargo theft is eating America’s lunch and driving up food prices
Industry leaders and analysts warn that a surge in cargo theft, including high-value loads like live lobsters and tequila, is contributing to rising food prices for consumers. Criminals have increasingly hijacked freight using fake identities, disabled GPS tracking, and exploited gaps in supply chain security, resulting in substantial losses and disruptions. Experts caution that these thefts not only inflate costs but also strain law enforcement and logistics operations nationwide. The uptick in cargo theft has intensified calls for stronger federal action and better coordination between law enforcement and industry to protect supply chains and curb downstream price impacts.
Smash-and-grab thieves armed with sledgehammers make off with jewelry in flash-mob robbery
A flash-mob style smash-and-grab robbery hit Kevin Jewelers at the Brea Mall in California, with as many as eight masked robbers using sledgehammers to break display cases and seize jewelry. Police responded to reports of the incident, which took place midday at the busy shopping center, but no injuries were reported. The criminals fled the scene in multiple vehicles with an unknown amount of stolen merchandise, illustrating the growing trend of coordinated retail theft tactics. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and pursuing leads as retailers raise concerns about similar organized theft incidents.
Over a quarter of retail apps have serious security flaws
Industry research into mobile and online retail applications revealed that a high percentage contain significant security vulnerabilities that could expose customer data to cyberattackers. According to a sector analysis, many retail and hospitality apps suffer from programming flaws such as SQL injection weaknesses and credential mismanagement that can be exploited by hackers. Retailers collect large volumes of sensitive user information through loyalty programs and payment interfaces, making robust app security essential to protecting consumer privacy and complying with regulations. The findings highlight the need for more rigorous security testing, faster patching, and proactive monitoring to reduce the risk of data breaches and trust erosion in digital retail channels.
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2 boys, ages 12 and 15, accused of killing Portland convenience store employee
A pair of boys were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the murder of a 33-year-old Portland convenience store employee last month.
The two boys, ages 12 and 15, face murder and robbery and were lodged at the Robert L. Harris Juvenile Justice Center in Vancouver.
Santi Ram Rai was shot while he was working at a convenience store in the 1700 block of SE 139th Ave., on Dec,9, 2025. A medical examiner has since confirmed that he died of homicide by gunshot wound.
AI security eliminates store break-ins
A tire and automotive services retailer is preventing burglaries and reducing property crimes at a high-risk location with help from artificial intelligence.
Operating more than 320 stores, Big Brand Tire & Service faces persistent after-hours security challenges at several sites, including trespassing, illegal encampments, and theft of high-value items such as tires and tools. Incidents also include repeated vandalism, such as broken windows and property damage.
In response, the retailer is deploying the AI -based Interface Virtual Perimeter Guard solution at one high-risk store, significantly reducing trespassing and vandalism at a high-risk location.
Shoplifting Call Escalates as Armed Suspect Makes Terroristic Threats
Omaha Police responded to a "help an officer" request on Wednesday afternoon at Scheels Sporting Goods, located at Village Pointe.
According to the Omaha Police Department, an off-duty officer issued the call after 33-year-old Dominique Gonzalez allegedly threatened to shoot him, saying he had a gun.
Authorities say Gonzalez was trying to steal a pocket knife when he was confronted by a loss prevention officer.
The off-duty officer apprehended the suspect while telling a third party to call 911.
Man accused in retail fraud scheme targeting Walmart stores across Florida: NCSO
A man was arrested and charged with six counts of retail theft after allegedly implementing a widespread retail fraud scheme in Walmart stores across Florida, says the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office.
31-year-old Branden Nikita Brown of Kissimmee was arrested on Friday after an investigation beginning in December 2024 led by NCSO.
Retailers carefully balance human intelligence with AI adoption
Retailers at The National Retail Federation’s 2026 Big Show in New York City this week made sure to balance endless conversations about AI with an emphasis on human intelligence.
“Right now, we’re looking at AI really as a productivity tool more than a replacement of personnel,” Dick’s Sporting Goods’ Executive Chairman Ed Stack told an audience at the conference on Sunday.
Nearly $17M in retail theft items recovered in 2025, governor’s office says
Local and state-level investigations into organized retail crime have increased within the last six years, resulting in nearly $17 million in stolen goods recovered last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office announced Tuesday.
Officials said that the California Highway Patrol conducted 734 investigations and arrested 1,208 people for organized retail crime, resulting in the seizure of 272,000 stolen items.
The Myth of “Expensive AI” Finally Gets Busted
Curious if AI has to be expensive to be effective? This piece breaks down how retailers can implement real, practical AI without breaking the bank or getting buried in hardware-heavy deployments.
It explains why leveraging existing camera infrastructure and scalable software is changing the cost equation fast.
You’ll also see where retailers go wrong by overbuying tech before defining outcomes.
If you’ve been on the fence about where to start with AI or what it’s really going to cost, this is a must-read that cuts through the hype and gets real about ROI.
EXCLUSIVE: Retailers left exposed to card payment scams
Retailers have slammed card payment providers for leaving them vulnerable to costly card-not-present (CNP) scams, despite fraud incidents being on the up.
Recent cases of the recurring scams have led to shop owners warning inconsistent safeguards from payment providers are leaving shops exposed to costly fraud.
One retailer, who asked not to be named, had recently been hit by the scam. They claimed the function was still available on their card machine, despite asking provider Worldpay to remove it. “The criminals took advantage. They used the CNP function while distracting and overwhelming the staff member.
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