Locked shelves, higher prices: Inside Florida’s crackdown on retail theft rings

Buying everyday essentials in South Florida has become a frustrating experience for many shoppers — from waiting for an employee to unlock a case to paying higher prices at checkout.

Shoppers say products as basic as body wash, deodorant and toothpaste are now frequently locked behind glass.

“But the locked-up product — it’s a hassle,” said shopper Jason Jones.

Fernando, another shopper, said access isn’t the only issue. “You need to request people to unlock the place where those things are, and in addition to that, they are a little more expensive,” he said.

Retailers say the added security measures are a response to a fast-growing problem: organized retail crime.

Investigators say this type of theft goes far beyond isolated shoplifting incidents, describing them as coordinated theft rings stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise at a time — all with one goal: reselling the stolen goods for profit.

“This is a growing trend,” said a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office detective who has tracked organized retail theft rings for more than a decade. He asked to be identified only as Mike, his first name, to protect ongoing investigations.

“When we talk about organized retail crime, we’re talking about groups of people who steal for a living,” he said.

The thieves are often referred to as “boosters.”

According to Mike, boosters steal a wide range of items — often everyday necessities that are easy to resell.

“As crazy as it sounds, it can be detergents, deodorants, any type of health and beauty items, makeup, lipstick, over-the-counter medication,” the detective explained, adding that baby formula is another high-value target.

Investigators shared surveillance videos and evidence photos showing suspects stuffing merchandise into backpacks or suitcases before casually leaving stores without paying. In one Miami-Dade case, surveillance footage shows two men loading backpacks with stolen items — unaware that detectives were already waiting outside. Both men were ultimately charged with petit theft and later convicted, according to court records.

Investigators say organized retail theft isn’t a victimless crime.

“It’s losses for the retailer, and obviously the people that pay the ultimate price is the consumer,” the detective said.

Putting an exact price tag on the cost of retail theft, however, isn’t simple.

A survey from the National Retail Federation found stores lost more than $112 billion in 2022, “primarily driven by theft.” But the group told NBC6 Investigates it stopped putting a dollar figure on the losses because it’s hard to measure and likely unreported. 

In a more recent survey, more than half of retailers reported an increase in shoplifting and merchandise theft. Seventeen percent also reported a rise in threats or violence against employees tied to these types of incidents.

Investigators warn that organized retail theft can escalate quickly to violence — sometimes with deadly consequences.

“On some occasions, it has led to officers being assaulted and eventually the assailant getting shot,” the detective said.

One such incident occurred in November outside a Walmart in southwest Miami-Dade. Deputies say a man suspected of shoplifting ran from the store and ended up fighting with a responding deputy. Body camera footage shows the suspect attempting to flee with a gun in his hand before a deputy fired three shots, killing him.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says that the shooting remains under investigation.

Florida law enforcement agencies have launched a statewide partnership aimed at breaking down barriers to investigating organized retail theft rings and improving coordination across jurisdictions.

That partnership has been in place for several months, officials say and is part of a broader push to curb retail crime throughout the state.

The Florida Retail Federation’s CEO Scott Shalley praised those efforts in a statement to NBC6, saying: 

“Retail theft at all levels is a direct attack on our businesses and communities. Fortunately, we have strong leaders in Florida who have taken a proactive approach to increase protections, strengthen enforcement and promote accountability. Through the statewide task force, key stakeholders join state level leaders and local law enforcement officers to identify trends, develop strategies and increase prevention. We’ve seen the true impact of this effort with the dismantling of several organized retail crime rings in recent months, resulting in safer communities for retail teams, consumers, residents and visitors.”

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC6. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC6 journalist edited the article for publication.