The rise in organized retail theft is, unfortunately, an issue plaguing businesses across the nation. This serious offense has negatively affected business owners, their employees, and the state of public safety. House Speaker Representative Ben Toma and Senator David Gowan introduced legislation to address this problem in Arizona. SB 1411 would create the Organized Retail Theft Task Force to investigate and combat crimes related to stealing, embezzling, or obtaining retail merchandise for the purpose of reselling the items.
Speaker Toma’s proposal would change state statute so that people convicted of a third or subsequent violation of organized retail theft with the intent to resell or trade stolen goods would be sentenced as category two repetitive offenders and may be fined up to $150,000.
Governor Hobbs signed SB 1411 earlier this month and SB 1414 awaits her signature after it received a 16-14 final vote from the Senate.