The landscape of organized retail crime is evolving at an unprecedented pace. What was once considered isolated incidents of shoplifting has transformed into sophisticated, multi-channel operations that threaten retailers across every sector. As criminal tactics grow more complex, the retail industry's response must be equally sophisticated and collaborative.

This past October 16, Loss Prevention Magazine imparted the comprehensive webinar titled "From Blitzes to Breakthroughs: Fighting ORC," hosted by Kevin McMenimen. The webinar brought together industry leaders, law enforcement, and solution providers to discuss breakthrough strategies for combating organized retail crime. The session revealed a powerful truth: the future of ORC prevention lies not in isolated efforts, but in unprecedented collaboration between retailers, law enforcement, technology providers, and regulatory bodies.

In case you missed it, here are the key points that took place during the October 16 discussion:

The marketplace challenge: eBay's proactive approach

Christian Hardman, Supervisor of eBay's Global Criminal and Regulatory Investigations team, opened the discussion by sharing insights from his 16-year tenure leading the company's fight against marketplace fraud. His team operates across two critical fronts: proactive casework where eBay identifies bad actors before they scale, and reactive workflows responding to requests from law enforcement and retail partners.

The scope of crimes eBay encounters extends far beyond simple theft and resale. From fraudulent tracking numbers and return scams to more serious concerns like child exploitation and terrorism-related claims, the platform's investigative team addresses a complex web of criminal activity. This breadth underscores a critical reality: ORC is not a standalone issue but part of a larger ecosystem of fraud that requires comprehensive, coordinated responses.

PROACT: Building bridges between retailers and platforms

One of the webinar's most compelling revelations was eBay's PROACT initiative (Partnering with Retailers Offensively Against Crime and Theft). This free program now includes over 75 retail companies across the US and UK, creating a powerful network of thousands of contacts spanning retail forums and law enforcement personnel.

Hardman illustrated PROACT's effectiveness with a recent Florida case where seven people were arrested in an $800,000 smoke detector theft ring targeting Home Depot stores. Through cross-communication between third parties and retailers, the stolen merchandise appearing on eBay was quickly identified, tracked, and ultimately led to successful prosecutions. This case demonstrates how technology platforms and retailers can work together to close the loop on organized theft operations.

Legislative momentum: The push for federal action

David Johnston of the National Retail Federation provided crucial updates on the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, which continues to gain bipartisan support with 161 House co-sponsors and 31 Senate co-sponsors. The NRF remains at the forefront of advocacy efforts, recognizing that federal legislation is essential to address the interstate nature of modern ORC operations.

Johnston announced that the NRF will release its 2025 Impact of Retail Theft and Violence report later this month, highlighting the escalating levels of internal theft, fraud, and violence across the country. As shoplifting and violence-related events continue to increase year over year, ORC is expanding into multiple channels: physical stores, supply chains, online marketplaces, and fraud scams.

"We know that these organized theft groups are converging their tactics in the physical, digital, and online space," Johnston emphasized. This convergence creates both challenges and opportunities. While criminals are becoming more sophisticated, retailers now have access to innovative technologies and collaborative frameworks that can help them stay ahead of evolving threats.

The gift card fraud epidemic: A case study in emerging threats

Lisa LaBruno of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) highlighted one of 2024's most insidious ORC tactics: gift card tampering. In response to this growing threat, Homeland Security Investigations launched Project Red Hook, addressing a sophisticated scam that costs retailers and consumers millions annually.

The scheme works with disturbing simplicity: criminals steal large quantities of zero-value gift cards from stores, manipulate them offsite, return them to store racks, and then drain funds when unsuspecting customers activate the cards. The result? Consumers lose their money, retailers face reputation damage, and criminals profit with relatively low risk of detection.

Blackhawk Network, one of the largest gift card processors in retail, partnered with HSI and several retailers to form a coalition that has grown to include attorney general offices, prosecutors, and other key stakeholders. This alliance focuses on three critical areas:

• - Education and awareness for both consumers and law enforcement
• - Improved state public policies and leading practices
• - Intelligence sharing to help law enforcement understand the context when encountering stolen gift cards

LaBruno underscored a recurring theme from the webinar: information sharing is crucial. Law enforcement officers pulling over vehicles and finding hundreds of zero-dollar gift cards need to understand the significance of this discovery. Without proper training and communication channels, these opportunities for intervention are lost.

Technology meets enforcement: CLEAR's 2026 vision

Kelly Hansen, Director of Organized Retail Crime with Macy's, presented on behalf of CLEAR (Coalition of Law Enforcement And Retail), outlining ambitious plans for 2026 that blend legislative advocacy with practical training initiatives.

CLEAR's efforts in California have already shown results, with new legislation leading to increased arrests and prosecution of repeat offenders. For 2026, the organization is expanding its focus nationally, working to understand which ORC laws are most effective across states and how those learnings can be applied uniformly throughout the country.

Training the frontline: A new approach to ORC education

Perhaps CLEAR's most significant 2026 initiative is an ORC-specific training program designed for frontline and patrol officers, the first line of defense against organized retail crime. Many officers lack exposure to ORC operations and may not recognize the signs of organized theft when they encounter them. This training program will cover:

• - Reporting protocols and response procedures
• - Partnership strategies with asset protection teams and retailers
• - Real-world scenarios for practical application
• - Proactive investigation techniques

By equipping officers with ORC-specific knowledge, CLEAR aims to create more productive partnerships between law enforcement and retail, leading to stronger prosecutions and ultimately transforming officers into proactive partners rather than reactive responders.

The technology imperative: choosing solutions that work

Hansen emphasized a critical point that resonates strongly with i3 International's approach: operators should not simply buy tools, they must carefully select solutions that functionally integrate with their workflows and enhance both investigative speed and organizational intelligence.

"The future is about true partnerships with vendors who really understand the complexity of the landscape," 

Hansen noted. This insight highlights a shift in how retailers should evaluate technology solutions. Rather than purchasing disparate tools, successful operators are building integrated ecosystems where security systems, analytics platforms, and investigative tools work together seamlessly.

This integrated approach leads to faster innovation, better alignment with frontline realities, and the development of purpose-built solutions. For retailers considering technology investments, the question should not be "What features does this tool have?" but rather "How does this solution integrate with our existing systems and workflows to make our team more effective?"

Regional success stories: Learning from the field

The webinar featured several regional perspectives that demonstrated how local partnerships and grant programs are making tangible impacts on ORC operations.

Cook County: Building trust through collaboration

David Williams from the Cook County District Attorney's office shared how relentless action against ORC, combined with intelligence building and collaboration with the private sector, is producing results. The key to their success? Building trust, educating stakeholders, and encouraging consumers to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.

Oregon's grant-funded blitz success

Detective Mike Zachar of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office showcased the power of dedicated funding for ORC operations. Thanks to Oregon's retail theft grant program, the county executed blitz operations at Mall 205 that resulted in over a hundred custodies, including stolen vehicles, firearms, and foot pursuits. Beyond arrests, these operations recovered substantial merchandise and cleared numerous arrest warrants.

Zachar's emphasis on establishing ORC grant programs across the United States highlights a critical need: sustained funding for specialized anti-ORC operations. While not every jurisdiction has access to such resources, those that do are seeing measurable results that justify continued investment.

San Diego ORCA: Leveraging technology and legislation

David Iorillo and Tim Reiley from San Diego ORCA (SDORCA) presented a model that combines regular blitz operations (approximately six per year) with advanced technology and legislative advocacy. With over 1,500 members, SDORCA utilizes heat mapping technology to identify repeat offenders and develop strategic game plans.

The group is also working toward new legislation that would allow misdemeanor thieves to be charged with felony-level offenses under certain circumstances, recognizing that more severe penalties are necessary to deter organized theft operations.

Virginia: The power of strong ORC codes

Corporal Colgan Wilson of the Hampton Police Division in Virginia highlighted how strong state-level ORC legislation enables effective prosecution and direct collaboration with retailers. Virginia's ORC code allows law enforcement to easily prosecute offenders and connect directly with retail operators and asset protection professionals.

Wilson emphasized that partnerships with major retailers like Target and Walmart were crucial for training law enforcement on how to adequately tackle and interview ORC offenders. This knowledge transfer has transformed the relationship between retailers and police—where shoplifting reports were once scarce due to lack of trust, retailers now feel confident that their reports will lead to meaningful action.

The Florida blueprint: Coordinated intelligence and technology

The webinar concluded with Read Hayes from the Loss Prevention Research Council presenting what may be the most comprehensive approach to ORC blitz operations seen to date. With six blitzes planned for December in the Gainesville area, the Florida model incorporates multiple layers of intelligence and technology coordination:

• - Digital overwatch: A dedicated team monitors online chatter, fencing operations, and social media discussions to support ground operations and identify targets before blitz activities begin.
• - Aerial overwatch: X10 drones and other aerial equipment provide real-time intelligence and situational awareness during operations, helping coordinate multiple teams across wide geographic areas.
• - Ground overwatch: This layer includes multiple suites of sensors for detection and monitoring, public safety and civilian radios for seamless communication, live streaming capabilities for protection and command control, mobile protective units for officer safety, GPS trackers for asset recovery, license plate recognition devices for vehicle identification and real-time mapping showing officer, deputy, and agent locations for coordination and safety

This multi-layered approach, supported by over 113 retail corporations and LPRC members, represents the future of coordinated ORC response. It demonstrates how technology, when properly integrated and deployed, can multiply the effectiveness of enforcement efforts while improving officer safety and operational efficiency.

Key takeaways: Building your ORC defense strategy

The webinar's diverse presentations revealed several consistent themes that retailers and loss prevention professionals should consider when developing their ORC strategies:

• 1. Collaboration is non-negotiable: The most successful ORC initiatives involve partnerships between retailers, law enforcement, prosecutors, technology providers, and advocacy organizations. Isolated efforts, regardless of how well-executed, cannot match the effectiveness of coordinated responses.
• 2. Technology must integrate, not isolate: Purchasing individual tools without considering how they work together creates inefficiency. Successful operators build technology ecosystems where security systems, analytics platforms, and investigative tools share data and enhance overall intelligence.
• 3. Education transforms effectiveness: Both law enforcement and retail teams benefit from specialized ORC training. Understanding how organized theft operations work, recognizing warning signs, and knowing proper response protocols dramatically improves outcomes.
• 4. Legislative support enables action: Strong ORC laws at both state and federal levels provide the legal framework necessary for effective prosecution. Advocacy for these laws must continue, with retailers sharing real-world examples of how organized theft impacts their operations.
• 5. Information sharing accelerates results: Whether through formal programs like PROACT or regional ORCA coalitions, the ability to share intelligence across organizational boundaries allows for faster identification of theft rings and more effective interventions.
• 6. Prevention requires both deterrence and detection: The most effective strategies combine visible deterrents with sophisticated detection capabilities. Criminals often conduct reconnaissance before targeting stores—visible security measures can redirect them elsewhere, while detection systems catch those who proceed anyway.

The path forward: From insights to action

The breadth of strategies and success stories shared during this webinar demonstrates that the retail industry is fighting back against ORC with increasingly sophisticated and coordinated approaches. However, implementation remains the challenge. Understanding best practices is valuable only when translated into concrete actions within your organization.

For retailers looking to strengthen their ORC defenses:

• - Assess your current capabilities: Where are the gaps in your detection, response, and prosecution processes?
• - Build collaborative relationships: Connect with local law enforcement, regional ORCAs, and industry coalitions
• - Evaluate technology integration: Ensure your security and analytics systems work together rather than in silos
• - Invest in training: Both your team and law enforcement partners benefit from specialized ORC education
• - Document and share intelligence: Contribute to industry-wide efforts to identify and track organized theft operations

The fight against organized retail crime continues to evolve, but so do the tools and strategies available to combat it. By learning from these industry leaders and implementing comprehensive, collaborative approaches, retailers can protect their assets, their teams, and their customers from the growing threat of organized theft.

For over 37 years, i3 International has helped retail leaders fight organized crime with affordable, AI-powered intelligence. Our integrated solutions detect various forms of retail theft and, when combined with facial recognition capabilities, help identify and build cases against repeat offenders. To learn how i3's technology can strengthen your ORC prevention strategy, contact us today.