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Trio steals 7K worth of Lululemon; how organized retail crime affects your wallet

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Published  December 18, 2024 9:55pm CST
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 26 Houston

Trio steals $7K in Lululemon: How organized retail crime hits your wallet

Mya Johnson, Marquez Clancy, and Janai Latrice Curry are accused of stealing $7,000 in clothes from a Houston Lululemon on December 16th.

The Brief

    • Rising crime wave: Organized retail theft (ORT) is a growing problem in Houston, with thieves targeting high-value items and using sophisticated tactics.
    • Financial impact: ORT costs retailers billions of dollars annually, leading to increased prices for consumers and decreased tax revenue.
    • Public safety concern: The increasing violence associated with ORT poses a serious threat to retail workers and customers.

HOUSTON - Mya Johnson, Marquez Clancy, and Janai Latrice Curry are accused of stealing $7,000 worth of clothes from a Houston Lululemon on December 16, according to court documents. 

Documents show that Johnson has stolen thousands worth of clothes from the brand on different occasions before in Harris County and was out on bond for multiple prior thefts when she's alleged to have committed this one. 

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Earlier this month, court records say that Marvin Boyd, Deion Taylor, and Anthony Carrasco are alleged to have broken into a Northwest Harris County store to steal thousands worth of merchandise. 

Javed Bhatti says he owns that store, Designer Perfumes Hut.

"It was horrible. They brought two trash containers and put all the inventory in those," he said. "We work really hard to achieve all of this and when it happened - it's a nightmare, I couldn't sleep that day."

On Tuesday, Friendswood police announced the arrest of Michael Diaz and Juan Carlos Rosa-Torres. The duo is accused of stealing 498 bottles of wine from various stores, including an H-E-B in Katy.

These are all examples of Organized Retail Theft. 

David Johnston with the National Retail Federation (NRF) explains it's not typical shoplifting. 

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"Shoplifting indicates someone taking goods for personal consumption - the aim of ORC is to re-sell those stolen goods for profit," he said. 

A recent study by the Texas Comptroller and Texas Organized Retail Theft Task Force explains that ORC and ORT (Organized Retail Theft) is costing retailers billions. 

"Using 2019 data, Texas retailers’ losses from all retail crime (which includes ORT but also other offenses such as shoplifting and fraud) were an estimated $3.9 billion," the study reads. 

It goes on to say that the impact spreads to our local and state funds - even consumer wallets. 

"The economic impact of ORT may result in a decrease in state and local tax revenue, increased consumer prices, and lower wages for retail employees," the study says. 

The NRF says through an annual survey of retailers, they've learned that these crimes are becoming more dangerous. 

"73% of those surveyed say shoplifters are showing more violence and aggression than they were a year ago," said Johnston. 

The Source: FOX 26 Reporter Abigail Dye spoke with one store owner as well as David Johnston with the National Retail Federation about the issue. 

Crime and Public SafetyHoustonNews