Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney has announced the initial outcomes of the Retail Protection Partnership, a program launched in October 2023 to tackle rising shoplifting rates in New York State. This initiative allows collaboration between merchants and law enforcement to investigate and prosecute top shoplifting offenders in Suffolk County. Since its inception, reports of retail larceny incidents have decreased locally.
District Attorney Tierney emphasized the importance of protecting merchants and jobs associated with retail businesses. "In Suffolk County, you cannot steal someone else’s property," he stated. He added that targeting local businesses threatens jobs, increases costs for consumers, and destabilizes neighborhoods.
Suffolk County Police Acting Commissioner Robert Waring highlighted the impact of retail theft on both businesses and consumers. He praised the Retail Protection Partnership as a model benefiting retailers and consumers while prioritizing law enforcement efforts against theft.
Ben Dugan from CVS expressed satisfaction with being part of the partnership, which aims to combat organized retail crime (ORC) networks and habitual offenders targeting stores.
Retail Council President Melissa O’Connor noted that organized retail crime is not just a financial issue but also a safety concern for stores and communities. She thanked District Attorney Tierney for holding crime syndicates accountable.
The Retail Protection Partnership was formed following meetings in October 2023 between District Attorney Tierney and retailers who reported emboldened shoplifters since bail reform laws were enacted in 2020. These reforms led to offenders often being released without bail shortly after arrest.
The partnership now includes major retailers such as Target Corporation, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Ulta, Marshalls, Stop & Shop, Walgreens, Macy’s, CVS, TJX companies, and Burlington. Law enforcement members include Assistant District Attorneys and various precincts within the Suffolk County Police Department.
A notable strategy implemented by prosecutors involves "aggregation" under the law—combining values from multiple misdemeanor thefts into one felony charge. This approach was used before similar legislation was enacted in July 2024.
An example cited involved a defendant charged with ten counts of Petit Larceny at a Walmart store in Yaphank between February 2024 and April 2024. The incidents were aggregated into one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree—a Class D felony—for which he is now indicted.