State-run liquor stores operated by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) have been losing tens of thousands of dollars in Northern Virginia due to theft, and they are rolling out security upgrades as a result, police announced Thursday.
Locks are being installed to restrict access to stockroom areas, security cameras are being enhanced and a new shoplifting safety training program is being implemented for employees.
“Our retail staff are being trained to gather usable suspect information and leads for law enforcement,” said Barbara Storm, special agent in charge at ABC.
Multiple stores have been ripped off in recent months in and around Fairfax County. In all, suspects have gotten away with more than $80,000 worth of merchandise, which is taken from the stores and subsequently sold on the street.
Storm said the new store policies would help to “better deter and detect retail theft.”
“Some of the suspects go into the backroom of the stores and steal the high-end liquor that’s there, or they grab stuff that they can get easily so they can make a quick getaway and get out of the store,” said Fairfax County Deputy Police Chief Gregory Fried.
While police have made a handful of arrests, multiple investigations are still open as work to track down additional suspects continues. So far, the Fairfax County Police Department has released photos of 10 people caught on security footage who they are hoping to identify soon.
“We have suspects from all around the DMV,” Storm said.
One suspect who was arrested was identified as Lonnell Jennings, 26, who was charged with grand larceny and possession of stolen property with intent to sell. Jomarice Evans, 27, was also arrested and charged with robbery, grand larceny and organized retail theft.
Detectives said three more suspects, all under the age of 18, were also charged.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis called retail theft “serious business.”
“People tend to gloss over it as a victimless property crime, and it is anything but a victimless crime,” Davis said. “The retailers certainly are victimized by it. Consumers are victimized by it as well, with rising prices and other distractions and changes to their shopping experiences.”
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
