SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey lawmakers are working to crack down on retail theft and hold leaders of organized crime groups accountable.
Officials say these networks of organized thieves have been stealing millions upon millions of dollars worth of merchandise of all kinds from stores, big and small. New legislation, which passed the New Jersey Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee, would make leading one of these groups a first-degree offense with 10 to 20 years in jail.
Persistent offenders, meaning those with two or more prior convictions, may also be sentenced to extended terms.
Among those who testified in favor of the bill was John Holub, president of the New Jersey Retail Merchants Association. He said Philadelphia and New York have already reversed course on their previously failed retail theft policies, and New Jersey is behind the times.
“We have these organized retail crews that typically operate in Philadelphia; Brooklyn is also a hotbed. They’re discovering the folks that typically stay in those areas are now coming to New Jersey,” he said. “It just puts a big bullseye on our backs.”
The legislation would upgrade charges if a store employee is hit or injured during a robbery, making the crime a third-degree offense with three to five years behind bars, if convicted.
The bill passed the committee vote unanimously. No date is set for when it will be up for a full vote in the Assembly and the state Senate.