(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Authorities have filed criminal charges against 46 people as part of a crackdown on organized retail crime across the state, Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson announced today.
 
“A team approach gives law enforcement the upper hand to dismantle theft groups that harm Ohio’s businesses and consumers,” Wilson said. “Credit to our task forces for leading the charge on these investigations and holding thieves accountable.”
 
The coordinated operation, carried out last week, targeted organized theft rings responsible for stealing merchandise from local stores and reselling it through illicit networks and online marketplaces. Organized retail theft costs Ohio businesses $2 billion to $3 billion annually.
 
Three regional task forces operating under the attorney general’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC) spearheaded the sting as part of a nationwide Organized Retail Crime Blitz Week.
 
Results of the operation
In Ohio, the task force efforts yielded the following successes:  

 
Beyond the criminal charges, the task forces gathered key evidence and intelligence throughout the week that will be used to advance ongoing investigations of theft rings and fencing operations across Ohio.
 
The FORCE Act
The OOCIC task forces were established following the enactment in 2025 of the Fight Organized Retail Crime and Empower Law Enforcement (FORCE) Act. Co-written by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the law established tougher criminal penalties and authorized the creation of law enforcement collaboratives to investigate organized retail theft statewide.
 
Statements from our partners
Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn
“We must do everything we can to go after the large cartels that are costing our citizens money every time they shop. Billions of dollars are stolen from local stores across the state of Ohio, and we are paying for this through higher prices.”
 
Kettering Chief of Police Chip Protsman
“Organized retail theft is a serious problem across the state, and this partnership gives us an opportunity to work collaboratively to address this issue, hold offenders accountable, and help make our communities safer.”
 
Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin
“Organized retail crime is not a victimless offense. It drives up costs for consumers, threatens our safety and fuels broader criminal activity. We remain committed to supporting our retail partners and ensuring our communities remain safe.”
 
Operation participants
(The lead agency for each task force is listed first.)

• Northwest Ohio Regional Retail Crime Task Force
  • Wood County Sheriff’s Office, Bowling Green Police Department, Lucas County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Investigative Unit, Perrysburg Township Police Department, Wood County Prosecutor’s Office
  • Assisting agencies: Holland Police Department, Perrysburg Police Division, Rossford Police Department, Toledo Police Department
• Tactical Crime Suppression Unit Organized Retail Crime Task Force
  • Kettering Police Department, Centerville Police Department, Germantown Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Miami Township Police Department, Miamisburg Police Department, Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office, Moraine Police Department, Oakwood Public Safety Department, Springboro Police Department, West Carrollton Police Department
• Fraud and Organized Retail Crime Engagement Task Force
  • Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton Township Police Department, Columbus Division of Police, Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, Grandview Heights Division of Police, Homeland Security Investigations, Westerville Police Department

 
Defendants are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Dominic Binkley: 614-728-4127

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