As reported by The New York Post, prolific thieves in the city are now retailing stolen goods at discounted rates through platforms like Facebook and eBay. The situation has escalated to the extent that organized crime syndicates are furnishing their cohorts with detailed "shopping lists" outlining specific items to pilfer.
In a concerning development, thieves have been observed stealing perishable items, including high-end ice cream, and subsequently vending them for profit to commuters at subway stations or local corner stores.
A law enforcement official disclosed to The New York Post, "They get shopping lists for items that include cellphones, power tools, handbags… They bring stolen goods to [illicit] wholesalers in the five boroughs."
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Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, recently highlighted her administration's endeavors to combat this issue, which is inflicting a colossal $4.4 billion annual loss on local businesses. Her proposed measures encompass establishing a specialized state police unit to prosecute organized theft rings and enhancing surveillance mechanisms for the resale of stolen merchandise.
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Hochul underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, "What we are focused on is what has become a sophisticated organized retail operation, the smash-and-grab efforts. They go in and swipe everything off the shelves."
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The scourge of shoplifting in New York City has surged dramatically in recent years, surging by 64 percent from June 2019 to June 2023, according to the Council on Criminal Justice. This spike surpasses the 61 percent increase witnessed in Los Angeles, where shoplifting has been effectively decriminalized.
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