CHICAGO, IL – The Chicago Police Department’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force recently announced the conclusion of a 13-month investigation that focused on the illegal fencing of stolen pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter merchandise.
Four offenders have been charged, and more than $1.3 million worth of products have been recovered.
The investigation was the result of the collaboration between the CPD, led by the Organized Retail Crime Task Force, the United States Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, private retail investigators, The Cook County Regional Organized Crime Task Force & Illinois Department of Revenue.
The investigation revealed that the pharmaceutical and over-the-counter products were stolen from various retail stores and later sold for cash profit to individuals who would then resell and ship approximately $2 million worth of stolen merchandise out-of-state each month.
During the investigation, an estimated $150,000 in cash and gold were recovered, along with three vehicles and narcotics.
All four offenders are facing felony theft charges, and three of them have also been charged with felony continuing financial crimes enterprise. One of the offenders also faces felony narcotics charges.
The Chicago Police Department’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force has been working diligently since its launch about 15 months ago. Since then, the task force has cleared more than 200 cases with arrests and recovered more than $4 million in stolen merchandise.
The success of this investigation highlights the significance of law enforcement’s partnership with the private sector in addressing organized retail crime. The CPD urges the public to report any suspicious activities or information related to organized retail crime.
