Senator Presses Federal Law Enforcement on Organized Theft Surge
In a pair of letters, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the spike in organized retail theft. The Senator also requests a report regarding federal law enforcement's efforts to combat "smash-and-grab" robberies on brick-and-mortar shops.
In the weeks following Thanksgiving, law enforcement has reported an uptick in major robberies at high-end stores. In San Francisco, police recovered merchandise valued at in the thousands from Burberry and Bloomingdale's. Approximately 20 individuals seized a Best Buy in Burnsville, Minnesota, looting an unidentified amount of merchandise. In Chicago, retailers Canada Goose, Foot Locker, North Face, and a cellphone shop, reported smash-and-grab incidents.
"While ordinary retail theft is a matter best handled by local law enforcement, the recent spate of flash-mob attacks appears to rely on organized criminal rings and internet communication, both for coordinating attacks as well as for the resale of stolen goods, which invoke the jurisdiction of federal law enforcement," wrote Grassley.
Grassley cited the National Retail Federation (NRF) as stating that 69 percent of retailers are experiencing an increase in organized retail crime. In addition, the NRF's annual Retail Security Survey reports that 78 percent of retailers believe that stronger federal law enforcement would make the process of combating organized crime more effective.
Capitol Hill has seen coalitions of bipartisan lawmakers introduce versions of legislation that aims to prevent online sales of stolen, counterfeit, or dangerous consumer products. The Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers (INFORM) Act specifies that online retail marketplaces must authenticate third-party sellers who sell high volumes of products. Advocates say the bill will prevent the resale of stolen merchandise and counterfeit products online.
Earlier this month, the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated that organized retail crime spike is due to the COVID-19 pandemic among a range of reasons. She further noted that the administration is working with communities across the country to "crack down" on crime.