ANN ARBOR (WWJ) -- A 55-year-old man is facing as much as two decades in prison for allegedly operating a retail theft ring targeting Target, TJ Maxx, and Nordstrom Rack stores in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor.
Richard Larsh, of Ann Arbor, was arraigned in 14A-1 District Court in Washtenaw County one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony for crimes that authorities allege resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in losses to these retailers.
According to the Michigan Attorney General's Office, Larsh's arrest came after an investigation by the AG's Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Unit operating with Michigan State Police as the FORCE Team, along with the Canton Police Department and representatives of the affected retailers.
According to Attorney General Dana Nessel, it's alleged that Larsh orchestrated small teams of 'boosters' to steal merchandise from the store, simply by walking out without paying. The boosters would then sell the stolen items to Larsh, who would re-sell them out of his car for a profit.
"By working hand in hand with Michigan retailers affected by these thefts, our FORCE Team is able to quickly identify and investigate these coordinated criminal outfits that impact both retailers and consumers," said Nessel, in a statement. "I am grateful for the collaborative efforts of the FORCE Team, the Canton Police Department, and our retail partners for disrupting yet another alleged theft ring in our state."
Larsh's next court date is a probable cause conference set for January 25, 2024.
