ATTENTION TO THEFT IN RETAIL SALES – Manteca Bulletin

Manteca Councilman Mike Morowit knows firsthand how to avoid becoming a repeat victim of organized theft.

That’s why she urges Manteca small business owners to take advantage of free grants of up to $2,000 for security cameras and their installation from STAART (Stockton Cracks Down on Retail Theft). The program is funded by San Joaquin County with $1.3 million in federal COVID funds.

They will be used in conjunction with an app to send videos of shoplifters to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office in an attempt to arrest and increase successful prosecution of those involved in organized retail crime.

“We’re not talking about your typical shoplifters,” Morowit told those gathered at noon Monday for the unveiling of STAART’s first billboard in Manteca at an OutFront Advertising location at Powers Avenue and Moffat Boulevard.

Morowit has owned Minor Mart Liquors on East Yosemite Avenue for 29 years.

A few years ago he was the victim of a robbery where the suspect managed to steal eight bottles of high-end tequila valued at more than $650.

Morowit posted a photo taken by the store’s surveillance cameras above its cash register.

A few months later, the thief returned.

When he entered the store, he noticed the photo of himself taken earlier that was displayed above the cash register.

He turned around and walked out of the building, getting into a waiting car.

Morowit was able to provide video and the license plate number to Manteca Police.

They used the information to track the thief to Oakland.

He was part of an organized effort to steal liquor and resell it.

The man had custom-made pants that allowed him to fit up to eight bottles into internal stashes as he tried to move around a store to avoid detection.

The fact that Manteca Police had the video and other supporting information led to a successful arrest and prosecution.
Morowt believes the camera grant program and app will do the same for other companies, but it will likely be made much easier thanks to STAART’s efforts.

Councilman Charlie Halford also spoke.

Halford served as Manteca’s police chief for 12 years.

He said people can help stop organized retail crime by not buying new products offered on online sites for half or less than what they normally sell for in stores.

Essentially, Halford noted, if it looks like a bargain, it probably is.

Halford also noted that Manteca was one of the first cities in California to assign a full-time detective to deal with organized retail crime.

District Attorney Ron Freitas noted that his office has dedicated resources to combat the damage that Proposition 47 has caused in terms of retail theft.

Supervisor Robert Rickman of Tracy added that the county has a district attorney who is now prosecuting retail theft.

Rickman noted that the board has made its support for Proposition 36 clear on the Nov. 5 vote that will “undo the damage” caused by Proposition 47.

Building on existing initiatives aimed at combating retail theft in San Joaquin County, the STAART program takes a proactive approach to engaging in activities and strategies aimed at effectively mitigating crime.

The Stockton Chamber can be contacted at (209) 547-2770 or by emailing [email protected]

To contact Dennis Wyatt, please email [email protected]