By Okon Ekpenyong

On June 10, 2025, the newly formed Northwest Ohio Retail Crime Task Force, in a collaborative effort, announced the arrest of two suspected fraudsters to combat organized retail theft. The National Retail Foundation, Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, and others continue hosting webinars and offering training to combat retail crimes across all platforms, demonstrating a united front against this issue.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn, and Perrysburg Township Police Chief Matt Gazarek stressed that the issue of retail crime extends beyond Ohio, affecting a global community of stakeholders.

The National Retail Federation, an international organization dedicated to enhancing retail business practices, recently released data emphasizing the necessity for effective workforce violence prevention programs.

According to the report, NRF says that between 2022 and 2023, 71% of small and large retail chains were constantly putting money into their workforce violence prevention training program to ensure the safety of their employees and consumers.

According to the Attorney General’s office, retail crime costs Ohio businesses $2 to $3 billion annually. Yost’s office co-authored the Organized Retail Crime Act earlier this year to enhance law enforcement cooperation in investigating retail crimes.

The Nature of Retail Violence:

Shoplifting is one issue on its own, but when it involves threats of using a weapon against employees or customers, it poses a serious problem for retailers. In addition to theft, violence in retail can manifest in various ways, and at least 40% of retailers state that when such an incident happens, it is. Some threats or the use of weapons is usually a part of it. It may occur during an attempted robbery or involve acts of aggression towards employees or customers. Furthermore, confrontations between individuals—store associates or customers—can also create chaos that affects everyone in the store.

The NRF’s report titled “The Impact of Retail Theft and Violence” presents several significant findings to offer a more comprehensive understanding of the issues addressed by this training. It indicates that 84% of violent incidents occur during criminal activities. Notably, 72% of these incidents are associated with theft and violence related to homelessness. Additionally, 55% of the violence involves guests, while 40% arises from employee conflicts. Furthermore, the report highlights that 34% of incidents are linked to mass or active assailants. These statistics underscore the industry’s critical need for practical training and preventative measures.

Managing Disruptive Situations:

Efforts to enhance protection and ensure the safety of employees and customers in the retail industry remain ongoing. Retailers face additional challenges, such as managing unrelated theft issues like other disruptive situations that are also problematic for a store. Examples include interactions with unhoused individuals, homeless people, or dissatisfied customers. NRF says that part of the training budget that stores spend a lot of money on is seeking specific de-escalation techniques, no matter how big or small the situation is, demonstrating a continuous commitment to improvement.

Gun Violence:

In Northwest Ohio or elsewhere, a part of the organized retail crime task force is developing training programs to respond to active shooter situations, situations in the parking lot involving gunfire, or situations in public areas within a shopping center or neighborhood. The effect of gun violence on the stores can range from temporary closures to permanent closures, depending on the severity of the situation or whether local authorities are still investigating it.

Developing a Comprehensive Workforce:

NRF recently hosted a webinar titled “Today’s Threats to Retail Facilities and the Value of Workplace Violence Training.” This training addresses workplace violence, prevention strategies, and response techniques. NRF emphasizes that these initiatives are part of a broader effort to create a comprehensive workforce safety training protocol to protect consumers and staff.

Ohio’s approach to organized retail crime:

The Ohio Council of Retail Merchants supports the Fight Organized Retail Crime and Empower Law Enforcement Act. And for NRF, prominent retail executives also discussed ways of combating organized retail crime during its Retail’s Big Show in January 2025. The collaboration among major retail foundations aims to raise awareness about organized retail crime, teaching retailers how to spot and report it safely. Ohio Attorney General Yost noted, “Organized retail theft victimizes the entire marketplace,” and praised Sheriff Wasylyshyn and Chief Gazarek for their leadership in these efforts.

The Ohio Attorney General report says that on “May 28, investigators with the Northwest Ohio Regional Retail Crime Task Force arrested James Haley, 30, of Columbus, and Shondel Tyshon Smith, 27, of Reynoldsburg, on fifth-degree felony charges of identity fraud and forgery.”

A tip from a local Walmart about gift card fraud led to the arrest of the two individuals. The investigation uncovered additional gift cards bought with a stolen credit card, and a seized laptop revealed multiple transactions and stolen cards. The investigation is ongoing.

Supporting Asset Protection and resources to retailers:

Supporting asset protection in retail is vital, especially in providing violence prevention resources and training. NRF says this includes online programs for managing customer conflict and responding to active robberies. The state attorney general’s website offers information on combating these issues. Additionally, organizations like the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, which supports over 7,000 members, work with eight affiliate associations to keep the state’s retail industry flourishing, including taking preventive measures to keep employers and consumers safe.

“Safety remains the priority of the retail industry. NRF will continue to support the industry in its efforts and advocate for a safe and secure retail environment,” NRF says.

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