Alabama’s new retail theft law has been in effect for less than a year, but the Alabama Retail Association reports it’s already making a difference, evidenced by recent headlines.
“We’ve had arrests in Cullman, Mobile, and Hoover,” said Nancy Dennis from the Alabama Retail Association. She notes the Retail Theft Crime Prevention Act is effectively deterring shoplifters by imposing tougher penalties on thieves and crime-ring organizers.
Nancy explains that organized crime has become a business in itself.
“There are people who steal from retailers in various ways and then sell the stolen goods online at a lower price,” Dennis stated.
Previously, these criminals avoided prosecution by stealing just under the threshold for charges. Now, prosecutors can combine multiple thefts into one case.
Stealing over $2,500 worth of products is now a class B felony, and individuals caught stealing four or more times, regardless of the amount, will face a class C felony.
“The goal is to hopefully reduce these kinds of incidents,” the spokesperson said.
The Alabama Retail Association adds that the law allows businesses to issue warrants for arrests without leaving their stores and provides training for prosecutors and law enforcement officials.
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