Law enforcement investigators and teams are turning to advanced technology and community partnerships to dismantle organized theft rings across Florida.
With retail theft in Florida and the nation surging over the past five years, and businesses estimating losses of more than five billion per year, Florida law enforcement is pushing back. And the Florida Retail Federation (FRF) says police are making a difference, too, by employing innovative tactics and forging partnerships with retailers to take the fight directly to organized theft rings. And that success is starting to turn heads.
Last night in Tampa, FRF honored Detective Autumn Moore of the Tallahassee Police Department as its 2024 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. The state’s largest retailer association says Moore has disrupted organized retail theft in the capital city with a mix of rapid response and cutting-edge technology. In one weekend, FRF says she orchestrated 11 arrests tied to retail crime, thanks in part to her innovative use of tools like license plate readers and real-time surveillance, combined with partnerships with retailers across the area. Together, Moore’s approach has helped track suspects and recover stolen merchandise efficiently, earning her widespread praise.
In a press release highlighting last night’s event, FRF says Moore is a member of the Property Crimes Business Network, where she maintains close communication with retail leaders, exchanging information on theft trends and organizing efforts to stop them before they escalate.
“She goes beyond just responding to crime,” said Dan Doyle, FRF executive committee member. “Detective Moore works to prevent it, creating a safer environment for Tallahassee retailers.”
Her approach is part of a larger, statewide strategy, FRF says. The Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange (FORCE), launched in 2021, connects law enforcement agencies with retailers via an intelligence-sharing platform. The initiative has helped crack dozens of high-profile cases, including several closed by Sarasota Deputy David Miller, or the team of Special Agent David Alexander of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Detective Gordon “Trey” Titcomb of the Duval County Sheriff’s Office. Together, Alexander and Titcomb resolved 46 organized theft cases in the past year, recovering stolen goods and ensuring accountability for suspects.
Miller, Alexander and Titcomb were also recognized as FRF’s runners up for the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award.
The group also said some of its member retailers are also taking action to protect their businesses and customers. Mandy Aguilar and Kelli Flynn of Lowe’s were recognized as Retail Partners of the Year by the FRF, having hosted a series of intelligence-sharing meetings across Florida. Their efforts have led to multiple arrests and brought much-needed awareness to the growing issue of organized retail theft.
The cost of theft continues to weigh heavily on businesses. Nationally, small retailers lose an average of $1,686 per month to theft, forcing many to raise prices or invest heavily in security. But with Florida law enforcement stepping up to the challenge, the FRF says business owners are seeing tangible results.