Attorney General James Uthmeier has announced the creation of a Retail Theft Investigative Special Task Force in Florida, aiming to address the problem of organized retail theft across the state.
“Instead of having toothpaste locked behind plexiglass like CA & NY, we are taking decisive action to combat organized retail theft,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Shoppers suffer when retail thefts drive up prices. This partnership between law enforcement and the Florida Retail Federation will help keep prices down and put criminals behind bars.”
Statewide Prosecutor Brad McVay commented on the initiative’s expected impact: “Anyone who chooses to commit a crime in Florida will be dealt with swiftly. The task force will strengthen our ability to get criminals off the street even faster by ensuring seamless coordination among law enforcement partners across the state.”
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters emphasized Florida’s approach: “The launch of this statewide task force reinforces that Florida stands tall as a law-and-order state. This state and our leadership prioritize protecting law-abiding citizens and promoting a fertile business culture.”
R. Scott Shalley, President and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation, expressed support for the new effort: “The Florida Retail Federation is grateful for the bold leadership of Attorney General James Uthmeier and our law enforcement partners in combating organized retail theft. The cross-agency collaboration made possible by this task force not only brings criminals to justice, but also protects Florida businesses, retail team members and consumers.”
Michael Tribony, Store Manager at The Home Depot, added: “The Home Depot is proud to be part of this solution to this growing challenge for communities across the county.”
The new task force is designed to give local law enforcement agencies access to resources throughout Florida, remove jurisdictional barriers, and enable investigators to pursue stronger charges against offenders. Its primary goal is to ensure rapid response against organized retail theft rings and repeat offenders.
Last year, Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 549 into law, which increased penalties for organized retail theft offenses and allowed certain repeat offenders to face up to 30 years in prison. Since then, Attorney General Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution has broken up large-scale theft rings and obtained multiple felony convictions related to these crimes. Under Uthmeier’s tenure, 55 individuals have been charged with organized retail theft while prosecutors have secured 52 convictions.
Retail theft remains a significant source of financial loss for businesses in Florida each year, often resulting in higher prices for consumers. State officials hope that improved coordination between law enforcement agencies and prosecutors will help create safer communities where businesses can operate more securely.
Attorney General Uthmeier’s Office plans to contact local agencies with additional information about joining the task force. Agencies interested in participating can sign up via email at retailtaskforce@myfloridalegal.com.
