June 21, 2010 New Pa. law makes shoplifting a felony www.privateofficer.com
Now, there’s fresh ink on a law that aims to close that loophole.
Organized retail theft is bigger than shoplifting.
We’re talking about gangs targeting stores, moving quickly, and walking out with thousands of dollars worth of merchandise to resell.
Before this week, if those criminals were caught, they faced a mere fine.
Pennsylvania’s become a target, said Pa. Rep. Tom Caltagirone, (D) Berks County.
Lax laws in Pennsylvania were like the ultimate sale for crooks looking to cash in on the black market.
The Pennsylvania Retailers Association approached me as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee with the problem they’ve been confronted with about organized retail theft, said Caltagirone, who sponsored the bill, now a law, that makes organized retail theft a felony.
They can be put away for a number of years, said Caltagirone.
Pennsylvania retailers estimate organized thieves cost the state $81-million in tax revenue each year.
Redner’s Markets installed face recognition software with security cameras to catch career crooks.
Giant Food Stores have taken action as well.
We have put all of the powdered baby formula in a locked case at the front end and our customers now have to ask for that product, said Nancy Jones, Giant.
Jones said that and things like over-the-counter medication and razor blades are popular targets at grocery stores.
Electronics and clothing are targeted elsewhere.
Pennsylvania was behind neighboring states in laws to curb such crime.
Giant said stores in nearby states with tougher laws see less of the organized theft.
We definitely have seen more in Pennsylvania, said Jones.
Lawmakers hope that will change when the new law takes effect in two months.
Hopefully, said Caltagirone, it will break their back in this type of operation.
Next month, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association will help train local police departments and prosecutors on how to spot the sophisticated shoplifters.
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