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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Thomas Caltagirone |
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Caltagirone's organized retail theft bill expected to become law
HARRISBURG, May 26 – Legislation authored by state Rep. Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks, that would make participating in organized retail theft a crime is expected to be signed into law by the governor.
Caltagirone's bill (H.B. 1720) would make it a felony to participate, in any role, in organized retail theft schemes, which can cost retailers $5,000 to $10,000 at a time. Currently, individuals who participate in organized retail theft are not subject to prosecution for that crime specifically, only the retail theft.
"These organizations, many of which operate across state lines, overwhelm retailers with large numbers of shoplifters simultaneously," Caltagirone said. "They may target the same store more than once, knowing they can risk the arrest of one or some of the group members and still carry out the job."
He noted that it can take seconds for thieves to walk out the door with anything from baby formula to Wii consoles, and that such items are resold or returned for a refund, costing the retail industry over $30 million a year.
"It is time to penalize this practice as its own crime in Pennsylvania, and I thank my colleagues in the Senate for their unanimous approval of this bill," Caltagirone said.
The bill was passed by the House in 2009 and by the Senate today. The House concurred, sending it to the governor for his signature.
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