HARRISBURG, PA — Attorney General Dave Sunday has joined a bipartisan coalition of 38 state Attorneys General urging Congress to reintroduce legislation aimed at combating the growing issue of organized retail crime. This coordinated effort seeks to equip law enforcement with additional resources and increase penalties for offenders involved in nationwide retail theft rings.
Citing financial losses exceeding $121 billion annually in the United States, the coalition emphasizes the economic and social consequences of organized retail crime. According to industry reports, 76 percent of retail asset protection managers have witnessed violence against employees and customers during such incidents, highlighting the need for decisive action.
“Retail theft is far from a victimless crime,” said Attorney General Sunday. “It endangers employees and communities, drives up consumer prices, and forces retailers to shutter stores. Strengthening law enforcement networks and federal resources is critical to addressing this organized criminal activity.”
Two bills introduced during the previous Congress—H.R.895/S.140, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023, and S.139, the Organized Retail Crime Center Authorization Act of 2023—are at the center of the coalition’s appeal. The proposed legislation aims to establish an Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security to improve information sharing across jurisdictions, aiding in the fight against supply chain theft and cross-border operations. The measures would also enhance federal penalties for crimes involving the theft of goods in transit, a central aspect of organized retail crime.
Pennsylvania has already taken significant steps to address this issue. Last year, the state’s Attorney General’s Office launched the Organized Retail Crime Unit, which has played a key role in high-profile arrests. Recent cases include the prosecution of individuals involved in multi-state generator thefts, a $22,000 Apple product theft across several Target stores, and a scheme involving the fraudulent return of Apple gift cards at retail locations.
Advocates of the reintroduced federal legislation believe it will bolster state and federal efforts to dismantle organized theft networks. The coalition’s letter, co-led by Attorneys General from Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, and South Carolina, underscores the necessity of unified action at every level of government.
If enacted, the proposed measures could improve public safety, protect local businesses, and stabilize consumer costs. Attorney General Sunday and his colleagues state they remain committed to securing the resources needed to tackle organized retail crime and ensure long-term economic benefit for communities nationwide.
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