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A new Oklahoma law, taking effect in November, will give the state Attorney General the authority to prosecute organized retail crime rings, groups that steal goods from retailers to resell them for profit.
House Bill 1592, authored by Rep. John George (R-Newalla) and Sen. Darrell Weaver (R-Moore), was based on recommendations from a state task force that included prosecutors, retail associations, and major chains such as Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, and OnCue.
READ: Hundreds Arrested in First-Ever Nationwide Crackdown on Organized Retail Crime
While an earlier version of the bill sought to lower the felony theft threshold from $1,000 to $500, that provision was removed after concerns it would impose harsh penalties on low-level shoplifters. Supporters of criminal justice reform, including Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform, welcomed the change, noting that the lower limit could have targeted people acting alone and not part of organized crime.
How the Law Works
Under HB 1592, prosecutors can charge shoplifters with organized retail crime if at least two aggravating factors are present, such as:
- Involvement of two or more people
- Use of tools like tag cutters, foil-lined bags, or weapons to avoid detection
- Using non-public exits such as fire escapes
- Removing or disabling anti-theft devices
- Possessing or buying stolen goods with knowledge they were stolen
- Using a getaway driver or stolen/rented vehicle
- Using fraudulent or obstructed license plates
Convictions carry penalties of five to eight years in prison, depending on the value of stolen goods, plus restitution to the retailer.
The Attorney General’s office will allocate $1.1 million to hire six staff members to investigate and prosecute these crimes.
Broader Context
Oklahoma joins at least 30 other states with laws targeting organized retail theft. Retail industry groups have pushed for such measures amid high-profile cases, including multi-state theft rings and large-scale merchandise losses. The state task force estimated that Oklahoma retailers lost $662 million in stolen goods and $97 million in tax revenue in 2021, though some experts caution that industry figures may be inflated.
