Texas Comptroller’s Office shares shoplifting investigation

On November 27, 2024By Pranco

TEXAS (KAUZ) – Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar has announced the publication of his agency’s A Study on Organized Retail Theft in Texas.

The investigation reflects the findings of a Hegar-led Texas Organized Retail Theft Task Force and includes recommendations developed from meetings and interviews.

Below are some findings from the study:

The estimated annual cost of shoplifting in Texas was over $442 million.
Thefts that target multiple types of merchandise or occur in more than one jurisdiction may be difficult to identify as shoplifting.
Improved transparency and communication among all retailers, law enforcement and prosecutors have improved case outcomes.
Prosecutors sometimes apply organized retail theft charges inconsistently, such as charging organized retail theft as simple larceny, which can take less time and be easier to prove.

The full investigation can be read at the Texas Comptroller’s website.