Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the coordination of a Retail Theft Investigative Special Task Force to combat growing concerns of the crime on state businesses while speaking in Jacksonville this week.
Uthmeier, who has mandated a zero-tolerance policy on crime under his leadership, also took a jab at California and New York for allowing snatch-and-grab lawlessness in their local stores over everyday necessities.
“Instead of having toothpaste locked behind plexiglass like CA & NY, we are taking decisive action to combat organized retail theft,” Uthmeier said. “Shoppers suffer when retail thefts drive up prices. This partnership between law enforcement and the Florida Retail Federation will help keep prices down and put criminals behind bars.”
According to the attorney general's office, the Retail Theft Investigative Special Task Force will enable Florida law enforcement with tools and resources, as well as remove judicial obstacles, to allow state officials to pursue stronger charges within their cases. Essentially, the goal of the task force is to accelerate justice against organized retail theft rings and repeat offenders.
In 2024, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 549, which bumped penalties for Organized Retail Theft for certain repeat offenders to be sentenced to 30 years in prison. Uthmeier has since keyed on retail theft crime, charging over 55 defendants and securing 52 convictions across several cases, including one involving the alleged stealing of smoke detectors from Home Depot.
“Anyone who chooses to commit a crime in Florida will be dealt with swiftly,” Statewide Prosecutor Brad McVay said. “The task force will strengthen our ability to get criminals off the street even faster by ensuring seamless coordination among law enforcement partners across the state.”
R. Scott Shalley, President/CEO, Florida Retail Federation, also called Uthmeier's leadership "bold" in combating organized retail theft.
"The cross-agency collaboration made possible by this task force not only brings criminals to justice, but also protects Florida businesses, retail team members and consumers," Shalley said.
