The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Organized Retail Crime Unit has made significant strides in combating retail crime during its first full year of operation in 2025, resulting in 60 criminal charges and the seizure of nearly $500,000 in stolen goods and cash. This initiative, which began in the summer of 2024, aims to tackle high-value theft rings, fraud schemes involving returns and exchanges, and online purchasing fraud that ultimately lead to increased costs for consumers.
Launched on July 1, 2024, following the passage of Act 42 of 2023, the Organized Retail Crime Unit operates in 52 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. The unit, under the leadership of Dave Sunday, collaborates with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to pursue complex cases often involving organized theft crews, manipulation of gift cards, and account takeovers.
Major Achievements in Retail Crime Enforcement
In its inaugural year, the unit opened over 100 new investigations and reported that nearly $250,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered statewide. The total value of goods that were resold or transferred before recovery is estimated to be in the millions. The Attorney General’s Office has also joined the national Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance, a coalition focused on addressing gift card fraud and related retail crimes.
Notable cases from 2025 illustrate the breadth of the unit’s efforts. For instance, Eugene Antwi was charged for allegedly using stolen credit and debit card information to place over 200 online orders totaling more than $65,000 for high-end liquor at Fine Wine and Spirits stores across 21 counties. In another case, Charros Montanez was charged with purchasing Apple AirPods and returning counterfeit versions at 37 Walmart stores, resulting in a loss exceeding $20,000.
Ongoing Investigations and Future Plans
The crackdown has also led to charges against individuals involved in various schemes across the state. In northeastern Pennsylvania, two men faced charges related to a customer account takeover scheme affecting at least 18 Lowe’s stores across several counties, including Bucks and Philadelphia. In a separate incident in south-central Pennsylvania, three individuals were charged with fraudulent activity involving Lowe’s credit card accounts, totaling over $60,000 in unauthorized purchases.
Additionally, Nilson Peralta Rodriguez, an Amazon employee, faces charges for allegedly stealing more than $50,000 in merchandise from a Bucks County distribution center, selling the goods in the Reading area. In western Pennsylvania, two individuals were charged for stealing riding mowers valued between $2,000 and $3,000 each from Tractor Supply and Home Depot stores.
As investigations continue, the Organized Retail Crime Unit anticipates further actions against organized retail theft operations throughout Pennsylvania. The results achieved so far demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement efforts in addressing retail crime, with plans for expansion and increased scrutiny on high-value theft operations anticipated in the near future.
