More than just shoplifting.Gangs of professional shoplifters steal large amounts of merchandise and resell it, costing businesses as much as $30 billion annually, and costing states an estimated $1 billion in lost sales tax sales tax, levy on the sale of goods or services, generally calculated as a percentage of the selling price, and sometimes called a purchase tax. It is usually collected in the form of an extra charge by the retailer, who remits the tax to the government. revenue. They typically target small household items, such as over-the-counter drugs, baby formula and batteries. Theft gangs have become increasingly brazen and sophisticated, carrying tools to remove security tags and foil-lined bags to prevent store alarms from sounding. They may use weapons to take carts full of merchandise directly past security guards to a waiting getaway car or van. "Organized retail crime Organized retail crime refers to professional shoplifting, cargo theft, retail crime rings and other organized crime occurring in retail environments. One person acting alone to commit defalcation is not considered organized an example of organized retail crime[1]. is more serious than simple everyday shoplifting Ask a Lawyer Question Country: United States of America State: Florida caught shoplifting at sears 12/05/05, first time, 20yearsold, have no criminal record. and is a growing problem," says New Jersey Senator John Girgenti. Alabama, Colorado, Louisiana, New Hampshire New Hampshire, one of the New England states of the NE United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts (S), Vermont, with the Connecticut R. forming the boundary (W), the Canadian province of Quebec (NW), and Maine and a short strip of the Atlantic Ocean (E). , New Jersey, Vermont and Washington passed legislation to fight organized retail crime last session. The laws classify types of retail theft and allow more aggressive prosecution. For example, Alabama expanded first degree property theft to include conspiracy shoplifting and fencing. Vermont now defines retail theft as using counterfeit sales receipts or UPCs/barcodes or tools to deactivate de·ac·ti·vate tr.v. de·ac·ti·vat·ed, de·ac·ti·vat·ing, de·ac·ti·vates 1. To render inactive or ineffective. 2. To inhibit, block, or disrupt the action of (an enzyme or other biological agent). 3. or remove security tags. Penalties can reach 10 years imprisonment Imprisonment See also Isolation. Alcatraz Island former federal maximum security penitentiary, near San Francisco; “escapeproof.” [Am. Hist.: Flexner, 218] Altmark, the German prison ship in World War II. [Br. Hist. , fines of $5,000 or both. Washington established three new theft-related crimes--theft with intent to resell, organized retail theft, and retail theft with extenuating circumstances, such as use of theft devices or leaving through an emergency exit. Similar bills have been introduced in nine states so far in 2007. |
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