California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced actions to combat the spate of retail theft.
These actions are not related to flash robberies or the occasional mugging.
“This is a multi-billion dollar criminal organization with complex, orchestrated and incredibly organized criminal schemes,” Bonta said.
The strategy to stop this criminal organization has managed to sentence 15 individuals in 2023. These people have been accused of different crimes that include the theft of millions of dollars from Apple and Microsoft stores and the loss of $75,000 that the Home store has faced Depot.
“A few months ago, our Home Depot store identified products being sold on online platforms that suspects were stealing from our local store,” said Rory Stallard of Home Depot’s protection team.
Joint effort
According to the state prosecutor, the only way to fight the mafias is by studying their methods.
“The only way to eradicate them is to beat them at their own game,” Bonta said.
A large number of online businesses, including EBay, Etsy, Amazon, Target, CVS, among others, have joined forces to combat these crimes.
As part of their strategy, they created a digital portal for the public to submit their complaints anonymously. To enter that portal, Click here.
“They will be partners in the detection, investigation and arrest of organized crime groups,” Bonta said.
This effort is also supported by SB 301 and AB 1700, passed in 2020.
SB 301 requires the collection of information related to individuals who sell items in high volume from third parties. AB 1700 allows for the creation of an online tool for reporting organized theft in retail stores.
“We look forward to continuing to see progress in the fight against organized crime,” said Mike Carson, CEO of EBay.
