The modus operandi typically unfolds in the early morning hours, catching shopkeepers off guard as they arrive to commence their day only to be met with the aftermath of significant damage.
From Seattle to St. Louis
Seattle has witnessed a series of such incidents, prompting the Seattle Police Public Information Officer Juddina Gulpan to acknowledge the recurring use of vehicles to ram into businesses for theft.
Another incident occurred at Osage County Guns in St. Louis suburbs, where a group of teenagers crashed through steel front doors, causing over $200,000 in damages and making off with more than 30 guns valued at $28,000.
The store manager, John Dawson, expressed concerns about the lack of political will to prosecute these crimes, highlighting that the suspects were all under 17 years old.
Retail Challenges
This growing crime trend compounds the existing challenges faced by brick-and-mortar store owners, exacerbated by catch-and-release and no-bail policies.
Retail theft, already a significant issue, cost the industry $94.5 billion in 2021, with organized retail crime increasing by 26.5%, affecting more than 80% of National Retail Federation members.
