CHICAGO (CBS) — In a brand-new tactic to fight organized retail theft , a group is forming across the state of Illinois to bring together business owners and police.
From smash-and-grabs to large-group thefts—visuals with which we’ve become all too familiar —organized retail crime has been a major hit to businesses big and across the area.
Criminal groups that commit the retail thefts seek to resell the items to fund activities such as illegal gun purchases, human trafficking, and even terrorism, experts say.
High-profile retail districts such as the Magnificent Mile have been pummeled by thieves over recent years, but it is not just the main shopping corridors that are affected.
Illinois retailers are estimated to lose more than $2 billion in goods to retail thefts every year—impacting everything from the ability to hire new employees to expanding and maintaining business.
Further, such thefts affect not only the businesses themselves, but the city’s tax base—and ultimately everyone.