Michigan man sentenced for organized retail crime scheme
A Kingsley, Michigan, man will spend at least three years in prison for his stealing and reselling video games amid discovered during a broader investigation into an organized theft scheme that put three others in jail. Thirteenth Circuit Court Judge Thomas Power on Friday sentenced Gene Allen Perritt, 30, to no less than three years in prison stemming from a guilty plea to an organized retail crime charge — a felony that could have put him away for five years. “This is different than … impulse,” Power said, noting Perritt was on parole when the thefts occurred. “This is systematic over a long period of time requiring a number of individual decisions to both plan and execute repeated thefts. At some point, that makes it a lot worse.” Perritt pleaded guilty last month to the charge and told Power he felt “like a fool” to be in court Friday. His attorney Paul Jarboe said selling stolen video games alone isn’t the “crime of the century” and acknowledged that his client cooperated with law enforcement amid the continuing investigation. “I’m trying to change everything about myself,” Perritt said, noting a desire to give back to the community. Power said Perritt’s coat-pouch method of disabling anti-theft devices was “rather sophisticated.” He also noted that surveillance footage placed him at multiple stores where thefts occurred over a two-month period but said he’ll only be sentenced for his role in stealing from one store. [For more: Traverse City Record-Eagle]
Maryland officer buys diapers for mom caught shoplifting for her son
A police officer in Laurel, Maryland, is being commended after he paid for the diapers of a mom who attempted to shoplift them from a supermarket for her baby. When the struggling 20-year-old mother found out she didn’t have enough money to purchase food and diapers for her child on July 22, she decided to steal the diapers from a supermarket and was caught. But Officer Bennett Johns of the Laurel Police Department felt sympathy for the young mother, and instead of arresting her, the rookie officer purchased the two packs of diapers for her himself. She was still issued a criminal citation for the theft. “Though we often joke that our field trainees are still in diapers, it turns out that rookie Officer Johns was not buying these for himself,” the Laurel Police Department wrote in a Facebook post. “Though it’s but a snapshot of some of the work your officers are doing daily,” the post continues, “we still wanted to take a moment to thank Officer Johns for not just fairly enforcing the law, but also showing empathy to an innocent child put in a difficult situation.” The woman’s name has not been released, and she has been referred to advocacy groups who specialize in helping struggling families. [For more: People Human Interest]
Bucks from bricks: These retailers make the most money per square foot on their real estate
Sales per square foot — a popular metric used when comparing the profitability of retail real estate — have tumbled in recent years as the retail industry struggles to draw in shoppers. Those sales, as measured by CoStar, at most public retailers have declined to an average of around $325 per square foot, down from roughly $375 in the early 2000’s, the commercial real-estate research firm said in a report. To be sure, there are still a few bright spots in the industry. Top retailers are managing to grow sales in the brick-and-mortar business, even as more and more shoppers ring up purchases online. Meantime, mall, shopping center and street-level retail landlords, names like Simon, GGP, Macerich and Taubman, have been looking for ways to keep their properties fresh, innovative and enticing to consumers. Their best interests are aligned with retailers in that they also want to claim the most sales per square foot. Here are the top 5 retailers that are bringing in the most dollars per square foot of real estate, according to CoStar.
5. Lululemon
The retailer does sales of $1,560 per square foot — less than its technology and jewelry counterparts. But apparel is notably a tough sector to draw shoppers toward today.
4. Tiffany & Co.
The jewelry industry is led by Tiffany & Co., which also boasts an impressive presence globally. Tiffany does sales of $2,951 per square foot.
3. Murphy USA
Don’t forget the gasoline retailers. Murphy USA sells both fuel and convenience merchandise to consumers across America. With about 1,400 retail stores, Murphy USA does $3,721 in sales per square foot.
2. Generation Next Franchise Brands
Chances are you haven’t head of Generation Next Franchise Brands. But this retailer is present in movie theaters, malls, airports, hospitals, tourist attractions, and more across America. Generation Next Franchise does sales of $3,970 per square foot.
1. Apple
You could’ve guessed it. The top retailer, based on sales per square foot, is Apple, CoStar found. This might not come as a surprise for many, considering the hefty price tags on many of the technology company’s products, which range from MacBooks, to iPad devices to the Apple Watch. Apple does $5,546 in sales per square foot. [For more: CNBC News]
Texas City police bust retail theft ring at Tanger Outlet Mall
Texas City police have arrested four shoplifting suspects who are believed to be part of a much larger theft ring that spans the state of Texas. On Sunday, July 23, police responded to a shoplifting call at the Tanger Outlet Mall, 5885 Gulf Freeway. Police said that after detaining the four suspects, investigators recovered more than $1,700 in shoes and clothing, stolen from the Express store and the Nike store at the mall. All four suspects have been charged with organized retail theft, and the merchandise has been returned to the stores. The suspects are in the Galveston County Jail. Under arrest and charged with organized retail crime are Cristina Isabel Rios, 19; Miguel Hernadez-Andablo, 31; Edward Palomino, 24, and Michael Patrick Gracia, 23. [For more: The Citizen]
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