Fuming SNAP recipients threaten to loot if food stamps are cut Nov. 1: ‘Stay the f–k out of my way’
Social-media users on TikTok are shown saying they will resort to shoplifting groceries if SNAP benefits cease due to a government shutdown. The article highlights how the comments reflect anxiety over potential loss of benefits and a willingness among some to break the law out of desperation. Retail loss-prevention experts cited in the story point out that such remarks raise concerns about increased opportunistic theft. The piece suggests that the economic pressure of disrupted benefits could spark a wave of food theft if preventative actions aren’t taken.
2 shot dead at Tennessee workplace by gunman who was ex-employee
Two people were fatally shot at a plastics manufacturing plant in Tennessee, and authorities believe the shooter was a former employee of the facility. The incident occurred during plant operations and led to an immediate lockdown while first responders secured the site and treated the injured. Investigators are examining the motive and the shooter’s background—as well as whether the former employee had been recently terminated or had grievances. The tragedy raises questions about workplace safety, employee relations, and protective measures for industrial facilities.
California deputies recover half a million dollars worth of stolen Amazon merchandise
Law-enforcement deputies in California say they recovered approximately $500,000 worth of stolen merchandise in a coordinated bust (exact figure may vary). The recovered goods span multiple theft incidents and include high-value items from retail stores, evidencing the scale of organized theft operations. Investigators highlighted that the stockpile was linked to a broader theft ring that had been operating across regions. The success of the recovery underscores the increasing sophistication of theft networks and the growing importance of interagency collaboration in combating them.
More Than Half of Retailers Now Use AI to Catch Fraudsters
More than 50% of retail organizations now employ artificial intelligence tools to detect and prevent fraud. The technology is being used to monitor transactions, identify suspicious behavior, and flag fraudulent actors more effectively than traditional methods. Retailers cited reasons such as rising fraud losses, e-commerce growth, and pressure to protect margins and customers. The article further explores how AI’s adoption is expanding, but stresses that human oversight and proper implementation remain critical for success.
Retailers Continue to Contend with Rising Levels of Theft & Violence
Retail companies are still grappling with elevated levels of shrink (loss from theft) and incidents involving violence against staff or in-store customers. Recent surveys show significant year-over-year increases in theft events, many of which involve aggressive behavior or weapons. Retail loss-prevention and asset-protection managers say that the threats are not isolated but increasingly systematic and often tied to organized criminal networks. Retailers must invest more in training, preventative technologies, store design changes, and partnerships with law enforcement to stem this trend.
TalkLPNews Host Amber Bradley chats with Craig Greenberg, Chief Commercial Officer at Gatekeeper Systems, about Gatekeeper System’s mix of classic theft-prevention tech and next-gen face matching. With FaceFirst integration, retailers can spot repeat offenders, track movements, and build solid cases, all while keeping employees and shoppers safe. Bonus: Craig shares a wild ROI story where face matching busted fake slip-and-fall claims. Who knew face matching could provide this level of ROI?
Target night manager in cuffs after probe reveals alleged $27k cash theft spree
A night shift manager at a Target store in Lake Park is behind bars amid allegations of embezzling over $27,000 from the retailer, following an internal investigation that unveiled a series of cash thefts during her shifts.
On October 24, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) was alerted to the suspicious activities of Megan Caserta, a night shift manager, when officials reported unusual losses linked to cash drop procedures, prompting an internal review.
Man Sentenced to 160 Months for $750K Retail Theft Spree Across Washington State
Last week, a significant sentence was handed down by the Snohomish County Superior Court as Micah Snyder, a prolific burglar, received 160 months in prison for his crimes that spanned across King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties, in Washington state.
Snyder pleaded guilty to a series of high-value thefts totaling more than $750k mainly involving sneakers and jewelry, the AG's office prosecuted Snyder for these cases of organized retail theft.
Retail Theft Operation in South Seattle Nets Twelve Arrests
Seattle police officers arrested twelve suspects during a Retail Theft Operation in South Seattle Monday afternoon.
On Oct. 27, patrol officers and detectives in the General Investigations Unit (GIU) conducted a joint Retail Theft Operation at Lowe’s in the 2700 block of Rainier Avenue South.
Detectives and officers teamed up with loss prevention employees to identify and apprehend suspects they caught stealing.
Loitering Lowdown: How It Hurts Your Business and How You Can Stop It Using Technology
Imagine walking into your business and noticing someone in the ATM lobby—standing around or lying down with no apparent purpose. It might not seem like a big deal initially, but loitering can significantly impact your business’s reputation and security.
Whether it’s an ATM vestibule, convenience store parking lot, restaurant patio, or other public area, it’s still your customers’ first impression of your business.
Ensuring they enter a welcoming, efficient, and secure establishment is crucial to a positive customer experience. But how can you manage it effectively without constant supervision?
IHL Group: Retailers pursue inventory visibility with this solution
As inventory issues threaten sales, retailers are increasingly turning to a specific technology tool to improve visibility in stores.
Retailers with profit growth of more than 10% are 94% more likely to invest in shelf intelligence technology (solutions that help provide accurate, real-time data on what product is stocked on store shelves) than their lower-performing peers.
Data from a new survey of U.S. and Europe, Middle East and Asia (EMEA) retailers from IHL Group and Scandit also indicates that respondents expect multiple benefits from shelf intelligence deployments, including increased customer satisfaction (57%), reduced labor costs (55%), on-shelf availability lifts (49%) and higher store associate productivity (38%).
Child custody dispute at Walmart ends in shooting and chase
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is searching for several people believed to be involved in a shooting and chase late Tuesday night in northwest Harris County.
Deputies said the incident stemmed from an alleged child custody dispute between two families. Investigators confirmed a child was inside the car when the shooting and chase happened, but thankfully was not hurt.
The confrontation began around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday in the parking lot of the Walmart Supercenter off North Fry Road near West Little York.
Investigators said a father and his current girlfriend were inside the store when members of the child’s mother’s family confronted them. The argument quickly escalated and moved outside into the parking lot.
Survey: Retail theft increases despite efforts to curb organized crime
Retail theft is still on the rise and remains top of mind for store managers even after years of tougher laws and coordinated crackdowns.
New research from warehouse and store inventory management software firm GreyOrange reveals that 61% of store managers have seen no improvement in theft following the recent crackdowns on organized crime (GreyOrange says more than 30 state laws have been enacted since 2022 to curb organized retail crime, including bills that enforce stricter penalties and lower felony thresholds).
Of those who report no improvement, 20% added that they believe theft has increased, while only 16% of managers have noticed a decrease.
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Sobeys testing staff-worn body cameras at certain locations
Shoppers at Sobeys-owned stores may start noticing that some staff members are equipped with body cameras as part of a safety initiative.
Following reports that some staff members at a Sobeys-owned FreschCo supermarket on Sherbourne Street in downtown Toronto were seen wearing body cameras, the supermarket chain has confirmed that it’s testing out the technology.
In an email to Daily Hive, a representative stated, “We are piloting body-worn cameras (BWC) in a small number of select stores.”
What the Louvre heist teaches us about freight fraud and cargo theft
Thieves dressed like renovation workers used a stolen truck with a basket lift, parked it next to a gallery and used the gallery balcony to access a museum hall full of art and prized jewelry.
After making light work of a glass case, they waltzed off with over $100,000,000 in jewelry and got away on scooters.
One item was an emerald necklace Napoleon gave to his second wife, Empress Marie-Louise. The thieves literally stole the Crown Jewels of France.
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