Stores seeing huge spike in liquor thefts
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SEATTLE -- The switch to private liquor sales has made it easier for shoppers to get their hands on booze, but it's also made it easier for crooks.
In the past several months, police have noticed a growing trend of brazen liquor thefts. The shoplifting has become so rampant that some say it's practically an epidemic.
"The shoplifters are more bold, they tend not to care and they're getting more violent with security officers," said assistant Seattle City Attorney Jana Jorgensen.
Law enforcement officials say the thefts are happening every day in every city at nearly every grocery store. A source claims one Queen Anne grocer has lost $1,000 a day since June. That's $150,000 in lost profits and stolen tax revenue for the state, and that's just one store.
"There is a number of rings out there working, stealing alcohol," said King County sheriff's office spokesperson Cindi West. "It's a quick way to make a buck and easy to get rid of.
King County sheriff's detectives have been clobbered with liquor theft investigations since June, when the state's new law privatizing liquor sales took effect.
West said in one particular case, four thieves used a store's own grocery carts to make off with nearly $3,800 worth of alcohol.
Some grocery chains have a no chase and no confrontation policy, which makes it easier for the crooks to get away with the stolen booze.
Every major retailer selling spirits is being targeted. Representatives from Safeway, Albertsons, Fred Meyer and QFC all declined to be interviewed, but admitted that booze-theft prevention is a priority. Many stores have started to lock up the high-end liquor, and most have added removable safety caps.
But when selling is the name of the game, the majority of spirits remain within reach.
Jorgensen works with the Seattle Police Department's Retail Theft Unit and said she believes organized crime rings are working the I-5 Corridor for specific customers.
"Which can be restaurants, clubs who don't want to pay full price or sometimes larger organized crime fences that deal not only in liquor but other stolen items and take it out of state," she said.
She also insist that the thefts are a public safety issue.
"In speaking with loss prevention officers, they told me that violence has actually increased," she said. "Tthe people who steal liquor versus those who steal diapers or sandwiches are much more confrontational and getting violent with them."
Washington Liquor Control Board enforcement officer Judy Lewis is teaching a class to bartenders, and she also works with grocery store managers to make sure they're in compliance. Lewis says it's not uncommon for booze to be stolen from one store and sold across the street in the parking lot of another store.
"They just might go up to a car and I've heard, anecdotally, if they don't have what you want, they'll say what would you like?," she said.
Stores see it all - a surveillance shocker - as a woman shoves 14 bottles of booze in a stroller with a baby inside.
Jorgensen said it's too easy to steal and thinks big chains need to do more. If they don't?
"It may take a while before we start to see these numbers declining" she said.
On Thursday, the Northwest Grocery Association, which represents 400 grocers statewide, said the bulk of the thefts are due to organized retail crime rings. The association said despite the thefts, revenues for state and local programs is exceeding projections by 5 percent.
In the past several months, police have noticed a growing trend of brazen liquor thefts. The shoplifting has become so rampant that some say it's practically an epidemic.
"The shoplifters are more bold, they tend not to care and they're getting more violent with security officers," said assistant Seattle City Attorney Jana Jorgensen.
Law enforcement officials say the thefts are happening every day in every city at nearly every grocery store. A source claims one Queen Anne grocer has lost $1,000 a day since June. That's $150,000 in lost profits and stolen tax revenue for the state, and that's just one store.
"There is a number of rings out there working, stealing alcohol," said King County sheriff's office spokesperson Cindi West. "It's a quick way to make a buck and easy to get rid of.
King County sheriff's detectives have been clobbered with liquor theft investigations since June, when the state's new law privatizing liquor sales took effect.
West said in one particular case, four thieves used a store's own grocery carts to make off with nearly $3,800 worth of alcohol.
Some grocery chains have a no chase and no confrontation policy, which makes it easier for the crooks to get away with the stolen booze.
Every major retailer selling spirits is being targeted. Representatives from Safeway, Albertsons, Fred Meyer and QFC all declined to be interviewed, but admitted that booze-theft prevention is a priority. Many stores have started to lock up the high-end liquor, and most have added removable safety caps.
But when selling is the name of the game, the majority of spirits remain within reach.
Jorgensen works with the Seattle Police Department's Retail Theft Unit and said she believes organized crime rings are working the I-5 Corridor for specific customers.
"Which can be restaurants, clubs who don't want to pay full price or sometimes larger organized crime fences that deal not only in liquor but other stolen items and take it out of state," she said.
She also insist that the thefts are a public safety issue.
"In speaking with loss prevention officers, they told me that violence has actually increased," she said. "Tthe people who steal liquor versus those who steal diapers or sandwiches are much more confrontational and getting violent with them."
Washington Liquor Control Board enforcement officer Judy Lewis is teaching a class to bartenders, and she also works with grocery store managers to make sure they're in compliance. Lewis says it's not uncommon for booze to be stolen from one store and sold across the street in the parking lot of another store.
"They just might go up to a car and I've heard, anecdotally, if they don't have what you want, they'll say what would you like?," she said.
Stores see it all - a surveillance shocker - as a woman shoves 14 bottles of booze in a stroller with a baby inside.
Jorgensen said it's too easy to steal and thinks big chains need to do more. If they don't?
"It may take a while before we start to see these numbers declining" she said.
On Thursday, the Northwest Grocery Association, which represents 400 grocers statewide, said the bulk of the thefts are due to organized retail crime rings. The association said despite the thefts, revenues for state and local programs is exceeding projections by 5 percent.
I knew it. The liquor will soon be locked up behind the counter, joining the cigarettes, else the theft losses will make it too costly to sell it.
To all those Costco propaganda believers out there who are shocked [SHOCKED, I tell you!] that liquor is more expensive and that liquor is now being stolen more often....
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Um, DUUUHH!
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[signed] -- Everybody else
maybe stores should put alchol section in more secure location instead of aisle that leads right to doors
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They keep cigarettes in Fort Knox, why not booze?
Just do what states that have been selling alchohol in stores for years already do: move the alcohol up to the front of the store. AZ has been doing that for decades, not an issue.
Rainier Beach Safeway FINALLY moved the booze to where they can see it. DUH
Are you really surprised. Now leagalize weed and see what we get.
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If a store is losing a $1,000.00 a day I would find another line of work...
DuhhhHH. no shyt? its fuqing exspensive shyt man
So if you have to be 21 years old and be able to prove your age to go into a bar or tavern why is it that anyone can go into the liquor area of a store?
@DDG Because unlike bars or taverns, liquor is not being served, so they do not need a license to serve liquor as a bar, restaurant or tavern does.
Surprise, surprise. Did anyone expect a different outcome. The companies complaining should thank all those who voted to privatize the liquor.Â
Go ahead legalize marijuana now, coupled with this things are going to get allot more interesting, just saying.
Considering how a ten dollar bottle of booze costs 25 dollars after taxes......This is no surprise. Don't blame the thieves. Blame the state..........
We watched two teens at QFC, loading up their handbasket. Â We were leaving and they scooted right past us, with their basket of snacks and several bottles of booze. Â They didn't even try to hide it, just walked straight out. Â We told security, who missed it (watching the other door) and she said there's nothing they can do at that point but take the license plate number and file a report. Â Couldn't believe how bold they were! Â But fencing stolen booze? Â Wow, who thinks of stuff like that.
@Doxie People with drug habbits.
 @DDG  @Doxie Yep, you are probably right.
I'm more worried about the kids that are stealing the booze. Thanks Costco.
If you are losing $1,000 a day and can't solve the problem in 150 days, you probably deserve to lose $150,000.
Nice security job.
$1000 per day? That's absurd - all a number like that says is that the retailer doesn't care if people are stealing the booze.
I Have not pity on these retailers since they were the ones that wanted to privatize liquor. It's there own fault if they they don't better control it.
EXACTLY!!!!!  I was opposed to having them in grocery stores to begin with! I've seen people load the cart and run pell-mell through the door and out to the lot. The so-called "anti-theft" yellow stripes that supposedly "lock" grocery cart wheels don't always work. There's a waiting vehicle at the other end... get loaded and off they go.
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The security caps on the booze? I thought it clamps on the bottles if stolen and you can't open. Have people figure out how to bypass those after the theft?
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Sometimes I'm in a store and the security gate thing beeps when people are walking through. No one looks. Even when it goes off on my cart - I wait and wait for someone to come check my receipt and no one comes. Which makes me wonder, why have them in the first place?
They need to do with liquor what they did with cigarettes and monitor them. Walmart even has their razors locked up for crying out loud.
There probably is some theft, but everything doesn't constitute a epidemic. I really believe the state government wants this to fail so everyone will be begging the state to take over those sales again, or so that they have reason to need to have more control over liquor. The private retailers will work out ways to prevent most of the theft as time goes on. This is a new concept in this state and I'm sure the "bugs" will get worked out as time goes on. Give free enterprise a chance.
$1000 per day? somehow i'm not believing that.
This is a problem when thief's can sue because they get injured when they get taken down for shop lifting... if they want to curb the problem let security do its job which is tackle and take down these pieces of crap! ... it is not the fault booze is more available it is because thief's know they cannot be touched which is a stupid policy!Â
Is this really surprising?
Yes, but remember how everyone said it would be so good and safe for our state to to privatize liquor sales. And how the stores could keep it out of the hands of our childern. Bull!
Couple of stories today, Drunk driver hits unmarked police car and woman stabs her friend because he wouldn't share his medical pot with her......what else can we legalize?
I voted for the privatization of liquor in the state of Washington because I believe the government should not be in the liquor selling business.
But I came from a state that regulated the privatization of liquor, check out Spec's in Texas, awesome store.  I've visited a Wal-Mart and Sam's wholesale in Wyoming.  They sectioned off the building and monitored who was allowed in to that section.  They carded people and had security posted.  Washington did not do anything like it. They left it to retailers to do as they pleased as long as the government got their tax revenue.  This was not what I was expecting or voted for.
@Lil_lost maybe you should have stayed in that state and left us alone with our state the way it was and the way we liked it. This law was mainly voted in by out-of staters who moved here because thier state sucked and then try and change it by voting in the exact problems that caused them to leave in the first place. Narrow minded and short sighted.
 @scotthebutcher  @Lil_lost HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!  I love liberals.
Yes, this is exactly what you voted for. Or maybe you are saying retailers are not conforming to the law per Initiative 11-83. All the stores are going to do is pass the cost onto you and I. I don't buy a lot of booze, but I do buy my share of groceries, the price of which is always impacted by shoplifting.
 @johnbe The sin of stealing is the biggest problem in this.  May it be booze or food.  As long as the opportunity is there, they will take it.
You condemn state control of anything and that's understandable. You can call people sinners, addicts, etc., as long as you admit that applies to you too. It bugs you when people claim the very same thing you are saying "Well, maybe" to? See what happens when you take the time to think about something? As far as a MeME state of mind, you are right. I don't like paying for other people's mistakes, sins, addictions, or whatever you want to call it. I don't have deep pockets and am not willing to vote to add to the cost of living in this area.
 @johnbe I agree drunkenness is and various other problems stemming from alcohol a bad thing.  If people can CONTROL themselves when drinking, I have absolutely no problem with selling booze the way grocers are doing it.
But people are addicts.  Sinners.  Whatever.  The poor sees this as a lucrative venture because the private sellers did not prepare properly.
Now, the thing that bugs me the most, is people claiming it was better when the state was managing it.  Well, maybe.  But what else do we want them to manage?  What else do you want to OUTSOURCE to the government to take off because you can't?  Raising your children?  Oh, wait, that's what sending they to public schools are for!  Taking care of your family?  Oh wait, welfare/social security!
Stop being a MeME state of mind, and maybe people won't be so polarized and stupid issues.
Stealing is the biggest problem? Yes, the article didn't cover increased drunken driving, increased minor access to booze (in the stores), higher costs of basic food to cover the cost of the loss, or the fact that without spending more money the stores can do nothing to stop this. Neither did it cover the fact that stealing booze from a store is apparently much easier than stealing from a liquor store. Never heard of thieves getting away with walking out of a state-run liquor store with a cart full of booze just because the store had a policy against confronting thieves.
 @Lil_lost It costs money to do what Spec's did.
 @whitewings2003 Yeah? Well, bought a bottle of CHEAP scotch for a friend while visiting there.  Original price $23.56, discount key -$4, paid with cash -$1.18, tax $1.52......  Got it for how much at Spec's ???  Yeah, buddy, they making a lost there.
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Now get that same bottle here and tell me, where would you rather go for your booze?
 @whitewings2003  @Lil_lost Not doing what Spec's did costs money, too.
Just ask any grocer how they compensate for losses due to shoplifting. They won't lose a dime. Also, to reduce shop lifting, they could choose not to sell liquor. Somebody here suggested stiff penalties for shoplifters. The jails are already full, so there's not much of a deterrence. Maybe it's better that way because we don't need to be paying for more public defenders with our tax dollars just to get thiefs off the hook.
 @johnbe More taxes....more taxes I say, more taxes....uhh did I say that out loud?
Sure, but the way they'll do it is to just raise the base price to compensate for their losses and the "more taxes" part will take care of itself.
(On Thursday, the Northwest Grocery Association, which represents 400 grocers statewide, said the bulk of the thefts are due to organized retail crime rings.) It also due to the way stores are set up. When state run liquor stores were open a minor was not aloud into the store AT ALL. In a grocery store you see minors going anywhere they want. Sections of stores need to be blocked off to minors, and make it harder for crooks to steal.
@Seahawk64Â Let's see....booze is legal. It's taxed. And "organized crime rings" still profit from selling it after it's stolen.
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All those fools who say legalizing pot will put organized crime out of business are naive.
 Don't forget how much money organized crime makes from the manufacture, sale and distribution of bootleg alcohol. Oh wait--they don't.
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Compared to owning an entire illegal industry, as organized crime did during Prohibition, flipping stolen booze is chump change.
 @Seahawk64 Exactly. In other states, when you go to a grocery or drug store that sells hard liquor they have those products in a completely different section of the building. You can only come and go into that part through a seperate entrance that is heavily monitored.
@Seahawk64 I agree. While I don't condone theft, it makes no sense to me that retailers have liquor displays near the front doors.
If you want to sell the stuff be prepared to do it right.