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Phoenix sees dramatic rise in shoplifting www.privateofficer.com
May 2, 2009
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PHOENIX AZ May 2 2009 (AP) — Police and prosecutors say they are seeing a dramatic rise in the number of organized shoplifting rings attacking Phoenix-area malls.
Members of one Phoenix family are accused of hitting Chandler Fashion Mall and walking away with $7,500 worth of stolen merchandise, then opening up their home and selling stolen goods, like clothing, right off the rack.
Chandler city prosecutor Tom Zaworski said he has seen a 42 percent increase in the number of shoplifting cases between 2006 and 2008. Among those are the organized retail theft rings.
In the past year alone, Gilbert reported a 27 percent increase in shoplifting cases. Other cities that reported a spike in shoplifting include: Peoria, 19 percent; Scottsdale, 12 percent; and Phoenix, 8.5 percent.
Law enforcement and retailers all point to a variety of causes, including the faltering economy and an increase in retail shops in suburban cities. Once they’ve got the goods, theft rings are turning around and selling stolen items over the Internet.
“It’s become the hot new way to make money for not only gang members, but families. We’re seeing Mom, Dad, Sister and Brother going into stores with shopping carts and walking out,” said Chandler police Sgt. Keith Benjamin. “With new malls going up and bad economic times, we have to attack this now before it becomes to the point where we won’t be able to do anything about it.”
Merchants accuse shoplifting rings for the majority of the billions of dollars in losses posted by retailers. “It’s been a huge problem for a number of years, but it’s a lot more organized now,” said Michelle Ahlmer, president of the Arizona Retailers Association, who started hearing about the shoplifting rings about a decade ago.
In an attempt at getting tough with shoplifting rings, state Sen. Linda Gray, R-Phoenix, introduced a bill that would make organized retail theft a separate criminal charge from shoplifting while stiffening the penalty. “When there’s a large volume of products going out of the store, it affects us all,” Gray said. “Our prices go up.”
The Senate Public Safety and Human Services Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing Wednesday to listen to retailers on the issue of store thefts.
Members of one Phoenix family are accused of hitting Chandler Fashion Mall and walking away with $7,500 worth of stolen merchandise, then opening up their home and selling stolen goods, like clothing, right off the rack.
Chandler city prosecutor Tom Zaworski said he has seen a 42 percent increase in the number of shoplifting cases between 2006 and 2008. Among those are the organized retail theft rings.
In the past year alone, Gilbert reported a 27 percent increase in shoplifting cases. Other cities that reported a spike in shoplifting include: Peoria, 19 percent; Scottsdale, 12 percent; and Phoenix, 8.5 percent.
Law enforcement and retailers all point to a variety of causes, including the faltering economy and an increase in retail shops in suburban cities. Once they’ve got the goods, theft rings are turning around and selling stolen items over the Internet.
“It’s become the hot new way to make money for not only gang members, but families. We’re seeing Mom, Dad, Sister and Brother going into stores with shopping carts and walking out,” said Chandler police Sgt. Keith Benjamin. “With new malls going up and bad economic times, we have to attack this now before it becomes to the point where we won’t be able to do anything about it.”
Merchants accuse shoplifting rings for the majority of the billions of dollars in losses posted by retailers. “It’s been a huge problem for a number of years, but it’s a lot more organized now,” said Michelle Ahlmer, president of the Arizona Retailers Association, who started hearing about the shoplifting rings about a decade ago.
In an attempt at getting tough with shoplifting rings, state Sen. Linda Gray, R-Phoenix, introduced a bill that would make organized retail theft a separate criminal charge from shoplifting while stiffening the penalty. “When there’s a large volume of products going out of the store, it affects us all,” Gray said. “Our prices go up.”
The Senate Public Safety and Human Services Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing Wednesday to listen to retailers on the issue of store thefts.
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Categories: loss prevention, police, security
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Bounty hunters investigated after shooting www.privateofficer.com
January 15, 2009
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Bounty hunters investigated after shooting http://www.privateofficer.com
PHOENIX AZ Jan 15 2009
BY: Rick McCann
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
http://www.privateofficer.com/ Phoenix police say that a Michigan bounty hunter is under investigation today after he shot a man in the chest Tuesday during a struggle outside an apartment complex.
Police were dispatched to the apartment and found that the bounty hunter and two others drove to Phoenix to find a man who had an outstanding warrant.
Police investigators say the bounty hunters forced their way into the front of an apartment where the man was apparently living.
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
http://www.privateofficer.com/ Phoenix police say that a Michigan bounty hunter is under investigation today after he shot a man in the chest Tuesday during a struggle outside an apartment complex.
Police were dispatched to the apartment and found that the bounty hunter and two others drove to Phoenix to find a man who had an outstanding warrant.
Police investigators say the bounty hunters forced their way into the front of an apartment where the man was apparently living.
According to the bounty hunters, the man with the warrant then tried to flee through a window where another bounter hunter was waiting.
According to the bounty hunters, a struggle began and police say that one of the bounty hunters accidentally shot the man.
Authorities said right now the shooting is still under investigation and has been referred to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review.
According to the bounty hunters, a struggle began and police say that one of the bounty hunters accidentally shot the man.
Authorities said right now the shooting is still under investigation and has been referred to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review.
If they determine that charges should be brought, they will be the ones to go forward against the bounter hunters, an investigator said.
The victim was taken to a local hospital but had no life-threatening injuries.
The victim was taken to a local hospital but had no life-threatening injuries.
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