Maryland passes legislation to combat organized retail theft

The Maryland General Assembly passed the Organized Retail Crime law into effect on Wednesday, closing a loophole that allowed criminals to avoid being pursued by law enforcement for stealing goods from businesses.

The new law will prevent individuals from moving region to region to stay below Maryland’s $1500 felony theft threshold and avoid being charged with serious offenses.

According to a press release, police can now track repeat offenders and pursue criminals more effectively. The law creates a clearer definition of organized retail crime, enabling statewide data collection and theft to be aggregated across jurisdictions.

“This is a major victory for public safety and economic stability in Maryland,” House sponsor Delegate Karen Toles said. “With this new law, we’re sending a clear and concise message: organized retail crime will no longer go unchecked in our state.”

Cailey Locklair from the Maryland Retailers Alliance calls the law a “game-changer,” as it treats organized retail theft as a serious issue instead of just a bunch of random thefts. 

Organized retail crime has become a growing threat nationwide, and stolen goods are often resold in illicit markets, fueling larger criminal enterprises, according to the release.

In March, three suspects were arrested for their involvement in an organized crime ring where suspects targeted luxury fragrances at Ulta stores across Maryland, resulting in a 6-figure estimated loss of $190,000.