News Flash

MCAO Latest News

Posted on: September 14, 2011

Multi-Agency Investigation Shuts Down Organized Retail Shoplifting Operation

PHOENIX, AZ (September 14, 2011) An organized group of retail rip-off crews that targeted major shopping malls, outlet stores and strip centers throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area is now out of operation, thanks to a cooperative enforcement action by the Phoenix Police Department in partnership with Glendale and Mesa Police Departments, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and private security officers of Macerich Management Systems. Sixteen suspects are now facing charges including Assisting in a Criminal Syndicate, Assisting in a Criminal Syndicate with a Minor, Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, Organized Retail Theft, Trafficking in Stolen Property, Misconduct Involving Weapons and Threatening and Intimidating.

Co-conspirators from this organization were initially identified by security officers of Macerich Management Systems at the Paradise Valley Mall in June, 2011. The subsequent investigation involved officers from the Desert Horizon Precinct’s Neighborhood Enforcement Team, supervised by Sergeant Aimee Smith of the Phoenix Police Department, and also included officers with the Glendale Police Department and the Mesa Police Department.

The Organization used several different crews of 2 to 5 shoplifters who would enter various malls as a group and specifically target certain stores that did not have significant video surveillance and were easy to get in and out of very quickly. Their typical MO would be to “stage” the clothes in a store prior to the act of shoplifting so as to get various sizes, colors, or styles of an item, and to obtain anything they personally wanted.

Usually, the “shoplifters” had department store bags hidden on their persons, or they would walk in carrying their own large bags. They would act quickly, placing merchandise in their bags once inside the store. They would then simply walk out of the store, usually handing the bag of stolen items to another co-conspirator, who would sometimes hand the bag to yet another accomplice who would be waiting outside. After leaving the store, they would drop the stolen merchandise in their car, go back into the mall and do the same thing at another store, targeting several malls the same day. This organization had multiple shoplifting crews at several different malls at one time.

“I applaud the diligence, professionalism and painstaking attention to detail of our law enforcement partners in uncovering this criminal operation and allowing us to bring these individuals to justice,” remarked Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. “This case underscores our combined commitment to root out organized retail crime in our community and protect hardworking business owners and the customers they serve,” he added.

Within a small crew of shoplifters, each crew member would typically keep some stolen items for their personal or family use, and then receive approximately 10% of the retail value of the remaining stolen items from the “re-sellers” in the Organization.

The re-entry point into the market occurred when the merchandise was filtered to these “re-sellers.” These “re-sellers” had “clients” who routinely purchased the stolen merchandise, either directly from their homes or at a preset meeting place.

Three ways that the Organization profited from these thefts were identified:

  1. Clients, known as “payans,” would pay 1/4 to 1/3 of MSRP
  2. Clients would purchase products for a flat rate, such as $5 per t-shirt, $10 for jeans, etc.
  3. Merchandise was taken to Mexico to be re-sold by unidentified co-conspirators in the organization

The shoplifters would plan their thefts anywhere from once a week, to as often as five times a week, depending on their need for personal items or cash. During one month, undercover officers observed members of this organization commit 26 separate felony acts of shoplifting. On average, each act caused the stores a minimum loss of $1,500. On the high end, the GAP Store in Anthem suffered a loss of $8,000.00. Investigators learned that this organization had been in operation for over six years. You can multiply the numbers to get a clear picture of the staggering losses sustained by these retail stores – losses that are passed on to you and me, the honest consumers.

As a result of this investigation, seven search warrants were served on suspects’ homes, resulting in the seizure of five vehicles, one handgun, and $4,500 in cash. A total of 3,495 individual items of property believed to be stolen were recovered, valued at $86,771.85. A total of 76 victims have been identified.

The primary malls that were victimized by this organization were Anthem Outlets, Desert Sky Mall, Arrowhead Town Center, San Tan Village Mall, Desert Ridge, Scottsdale Fashion Square, and Chandler Fashion Center. The main stores targeted were the Children’s Place, the GAP, Victoria’s Secret, Ralph Lauren Polo, Dillard’s, Sears, Hollister, Nike Outlet, Disney, Carter’s, Justice, and Banana Republic.

The charges announced today are not evidence of guilt. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

###

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in MCAO Latest News

Photo of a baby tiger.

Defendant Selling Wild Tiger Cub Indicted

Posted on: February 28, 2023
MCAO Seal

Thank You for Your Service

Posted on: February 1, 2023
MCAO Seal

No Charges for Officer Conduct

Posted on: January 30, 2023
Photos of MCAO employees

A Year in Review

Posted on: December 20, 2022
MCAO Seal

MCAO Wins Big at the 2022 APAAC Awards

Posted on: August 29, 2022
Website Graphics (1)

Help Deter Catalytic Converter Thefts

Posted on: August 22, 2022
A person reaching for a pair of car keys after they've been drinking.

Celebrate Safely this Fourth of July

Posted on: June 28, 2022
Tori posing in front of a background and flags

K-9 Victim Advocate Tori is Retiring!

Posted on: April 26, 2022

MCAO’s Citizens Academy Is Back!

Posted on: March 28, 2022
MCAO Seal

Meet our New Community Affairs Coordinator

Posted on: February 21, 2022
Teens

Stay Aware of Teen Dating Violence

Posted on: February 14, 2022
New employee meeting other employees at new job

Start the Year with a New Career

Posted on: January 19, 2022
MCAO Seal

MCAO Year in Review

Posted on: December 21, 2021
An image of caution tape and police sirens

Year in Review: 2021 Crime Trends

Posted on: December 14, 2021
A family gathering around their holiday decorations

Holiday Home and Travel Safety

Posted on: December 6, 2021
Woman shopping online for holiday gifts

Get Gifts, Not Scams this Holiday Season

Posted on: November 22, 2021
Phone Scams

How to Avoid Scams Calls

Posted on: November 15, 2021
Photo of soldier holding an American flag

Honoring All Who Serve on Veterans Day

Posted on: November 10, 2021
Photo of the twin towers

20th Anniversary of September 11th

Posted on: September 10, 2021
Image of girl with the text

Talk to Teens About Substance Abuse

Posted on: August 23, 2021
A man stealing a wallet out of someone's backpack

Practice Personal Safety in Layers

Posted on: August 16, 2021
Two students reading over documents

Internship Opportunities at MCAO

Posted on: July 29, 2021
Someone looking into a parked vehicle

Keep Your Vehicle Safe this Summer

Posted on: July 5, 2021
Utility Scams

Summer Safety Series: Utility Scams

Posted on: June 21, 2021
Three Children Holding Hands

National Missing Children's Day

Posted on: May 24, 2021
Student wearing graduation cap and gown

A Career in Public Service

Posted on: May 4, 2021
Aisha Robertson, Legal Support Assistant, MCAO Victim Services Division

Employee Spotlight: Aisha Robertson

Posted on: April 26, 2021
Victim Advocates

The Importance of Victims’ Rights

Posted on: April 22, 2021
Lady Justice

Understanding Victims’ Rights

Posted on: April 19, 2021
Protect Your Vehicle From Theft

Spring Break Tips: Prevent Car Theft

Posted on: March 15, 2021
Report Graffiti

Report Graffiti in Your Community

Posted on: February 22, 2021
Protect Your Identity

Have You Checked Your Credit Report?

Posted on: March 29, 2021
Online Dating

Swipe Safe with These Online Dating Tips

Posted on: February 8, 2021
Woman Cleaning Counter

Labor Trafficking amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted on: January 25, 2021
MCAO Building

A Year in Review at MCAO

Posted on: December 23, 2020
Crime Scene Tape

2020 Snapshot: Crime Across the Valley

Posted on: December 7, 2020
Man placing Credit Card info into Laptop

Shop Safely Online this Holiday Season

Posted on: November 30, 2020
Female domestic violence victim packing suitcase with clothing

Make a Safety Plan to Get Out

Posted on: October 19, 2020
Teen Girl Texting

Remind Teens to Think Before They Send

Posted on: September 28, 2020
County Attorney Allister Adel

Body-Worn Camera Request

Posted on: September 23, 2020
Online Bully

Online Bullying During COVID

Posted on: September 21, 2020
Animal Cruelty

Report Animal Abuse to Law Enforcement

Posted on: September 14, 2020
Labor Day DUI Reminder

Celebrate Labor Day Weekend Safely

Posted on: September 3, 2020
Pills on table

International Overdose Awareness Day

Posted on: August 31, 2020
Contact-Tracing

COVID-19 Contact Tracing Scams

Posted on: July 23, 2020
Two Girls on Laptops

What are the risks of livestreaming?

Posted on: July 13, 2020
Prosecutor

What is a Prosecutor?

Posted on: June 25, 2020
Man Vaping

Vaping Warning Signs for Parents

Posted on: June 18, 2020
Opioids

Help Prevent Opioid Abuse at Home

Posted on: June 16, 2020
Sunset Over Canal and Homes

Keep Your Home Safe this Summer

Posted on: June 4, 2020
Looking through a car windshield at night. The lights are blurred.

Don’t Graduate into a DUI

Posted on: May 19, 2020
Happy Mothers Day

Honoring MCAO Moms

Posted on: May 8, 2020
COVID-19 Stimulus Check Scams

Stimulus Check Scams

Posted on: May 7, 2020
National Law Day 2020

It’s National Law Day

Posted on: May 1, 2020
Angela Andrews

Collaboration is Key

Posted on: April 30, 2020
Inspiration in the Face of Adversity

Inspiration in the Face of Adversity

Posted on: April 24, 2020
Heather Kirka

Charging Ahead and Working Together

Posted on: April 23, 2020
Census form on flag

We All Benefit When We Respond

Posted on: April 16, 2020
Brittany Hogard

Keeping the Wheels of Justice Rolling

Posted on: April 15, 2020
Person typing on computer keyboard

Be a Smart Online User

Posted on: April 13, 2020
Avoid Coronavirus Scams

COVID-19 Scam Awareness

Posted on: March 30, 2020

Community Outreach Highlights

Posted on: March 1, 2020
Allister with Female Staff

Celebrating Women’s History Month

Posted on: March 1, 2020
2020 Census Advertisement - Shape your Future, Start Here

YOU Count: Fill Out the Census Today

Posted on: March 1, 2020

Update On Petersen Investigation

Posted on: December 11, 2019

MCAO Honors Our Veterans

Posted on: November 8, 2019

Dion Earl Found Guilty on All Charges

Posted on: August 22, 2019

MCAO Launches Community Grants Webpage

Posted on: August 12, 2016

Update on Green Acre Dog Boarding Deaths

Posted on: September 22, 2014

National Geographic - Taboo

Posted on: August 31, 2012