BILLINGS — The act of swiping small items has become a major problem for retailers in Montana. Recently, the Department of Justice has hired a new position specifically focused on tracking down criminals involved in multi-state theft rings.
Agent Sara Lubke, the first organized retail theft agent in the state, was officially sworn in by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen in April. Her main responsibility is to track down thieves who move from store to store and city to city, stealing items and selling them online with little consequence.
“Having a statewide position is a huge advantage as I can link cases from different cities across Montana,” said Lubke.
Shoplifting incidents, like those shared on social media by a local Billings Ace Hardware store, are unfortunately common. The punishment for these crimes often does not align with the severity of the offense, with thieves receiving just a $500 citation for thefts worth nearly $1500.
“These thieves are quite clever. They keep their thefts below the felony threshold. Treating it as a misdemeanor results in fewer consequences, usually just a citation and a court appearance that many times they don’t show up for, allowing them to operate without fear,” said Billings Police Chief Rich St. John.
“It’s not just simple shoplifting. It involves organized groups stealing multiple items and reselling them through various channels to fund other criminal activities, from violent crimes to terrorism,” explained Lubke.
The severity of the problem led the Montana Retail Association, representing 500 businesses statewide, to establish an organized retail crime alliance group. This group brings together loss prevention teams and law enforcement regularly to address the issue.
“One loss prevention team reported losing up to a million dollars a year, which translates to $20,000 a week in shoplifting losses. Security measures are in place, but employee safety is the top priority, allowing shoplifters to walk out freely in some cases,” said Brad Griffin, President of the Montana Retail Association.
Some retailers have on-site security as a deterrent and to provide valuable witness accounts,” added Lubke.
Ocasionaly, business owners take matters into their own hands. Amy Pawlowski, prior to her store’s closure, mentioned confronting shoplifters and reclaiming stolen items.
A former Billings store, Liberty and Vine, even created a “shoplifting wall of shame” to deter thieves.
“The issue has grown to the point where box stores are preparing for the worst, sometimes blocking their doors when closed to prevent smash and grab incidents. Consumers are warned that deals that seem too good to be true likely involve stolen goods. If you suspect something you see for sale is stolen, report it to law enforcement for investigation,” concluded Lubke.
