Banding together against retail theft

The security footage showed it all - a man waiting until after store hours to break in and steal thousands of dollars worth of electronics.

In the process, he smashed display cases - adding property damage to his crime.

The difference was that retailers were on the lookout. They'd been sharing messages, photos, descriptions and other information throughout the state following similar instances in hopes the man could be caught.

So when the man was spotted "casing" a store, police were on hand to catch him leaving. Although damage to the store had already been done, at least the criminal was apprehended.

It's stories such as this that help Chris Oritiz, investigator and deputy sheriff for the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, know his online database is helping retailers and law enforcement officials identify and catch offenders. It's called the Florida Organized Retail Crime Enforcement Network.

He said for too long, those working security for businesses such as Walmart, Target, J. C. Penney and others were unaware their stores were being targeted by those burglarizing other stores across county lines.

By registering with the crime enforcement network, he said retailers now can share data about suspected thieves that includes video footage, photos and other information to help identify them.

"What we want to do is lock down the criminal element before they can go out to other stores and do more crime," Oritiz said.

During a meeting between retail security representatives and law enforcement Monday at the Emergency Communications and Operations Center, retailers were shown how to register on the crime enforcement network online at www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=2488473.

The meeting also kicked off the first Sheriff's Helping Retailers through Intelligence Networking and Crime Prevention group that will meet bi-monthly to share shoplifting prevention tips and other information.

Chad Taylor, a district loss prevention manager for Walmart, said one concern is keeping track of those with criminal histories who practically make their living stealing from stores.

He said many times, people with criminal histories become repeat offenders, either because they can't get regular jobs with their backgrounds, or to pay to support drug habits, or both.

"It's just a vicious cycle," Taylor said. "Not that we're not concerned about people who shoplift toys or something during the holidays, but our bigger concern is the guy who's a career criminal stealing thousands of dollars in items."

Currently, Hernando County Sheriff's Office Web site already offers a search engine for retail thefts in the area along with other detailed crime and arrest reports. Amy Spiehs-Hicks, a loss-prevention manager for Walgreens, said the site is one that she hopes other sheriff departments across the state copy. Oritiz agreed and added that his site will likely offer a link to the Hernando one to help retailers search offender reports, mug shots and other items.

We're not here to reinvent the wheel," Oritiz said. "We want a free database where everyone can sign up and easily share this information."

To search crime reports in Hernando County, go to www.hernandosheriff.org.