A new Pennsylvania prosecutor’s office devoted exclusively to prosecuting organized retail thefts is being created after $2.7 million in funds was allocated in the 2024-25 state budget.

That office and other strategies to tackle organized retail crime by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General will be the topic of a presentation and panel discussion Sept. 27, 8:30 to 10:30 AM, at Delaware County Community College in Media.

The discussion, “Addressing Organized Retail Crime: Collaboration and Perspectives,” aims to foster a deeper understanding of organized retail crime and explore effective collaborative approaches between law enforcement, legal entities, and retail professionals.

The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General will outline the latest advancements in strategies to tackle organized crime. A presentation will detail how the Attorney General plans to collaborate with District Attorneys and local law enforcement agencies to effectively combat organized retail crime rings.

The topic will then be examined during a panel discussion moderated by Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe.

Panelists are:

• Brandon M. Graeff, chief of police for Marple Township Police Department
• Corporal Jessica C. Zangla, patrol unit supervisor for Pennsylvania State Police Troop K-Media
• Amanda Hobert, regional investigations manager, Lowe’s Companies Inc.
• Salena Jones, deputy district attorney, Diversionary Programs, Delaware County District Attorney’s Office.

The presentation and discussion will take place on the DCCC campus at 901 S. Media Line Road in the Academic Building large auditorium (Room 2225).

Click here to register.

A state law was enacted last December allowing the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General to create an office of deputy attorney general for organized retail crime theft, according to Robert Swift with CapitalWire.

Part of the law also toughens penalties for organized retail theft.

Senate Bill 596 was created by state Sen. David Argall (R-Schuylkill) after waves of store looting in Philadelphia last year.

Funding for the new office covers the costs of five prosecuting attorneys in different geographic regions, with two special agents under them, for a total of 15 individuals, said Jennifer Crandhall, spokeswoman for Attorney General Michelle Henry.

The law creates an offense of organized retail theft defined as a partnership of type of association engaged in retail theft with the intent to resell the merchandise.

The law also upgrades penalties for organized retail theft – a felony of the third degree if the value of the stolen merchandise is between $2,500 and $9,999, a felony of the second degree if the merchandise value is between $10,000 and $49,999 and a felony of the third degree if the merchandise value is at least $50,000 or more.

Argall said retail theft has targeted both large retailers and small businesses in recent years.