The recent retail theft sting in central Maryland was an eye-opener for many residents, but not the state’s merchants, large or small.
The sting resulted in the Maryland Office of the Attorney General indicting four people accused of running a retail crime ring and stealing more than $800,000 in merchandise across central Maryland from stores including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sunglass Hut, Ulta Beauty and others. It spanned six counties ― including Howard, Anne Arundel and Prince George’s ― where they allegedly committed 37 thefts.
Such brazen incidents sometimes included flash-mob-style tactics to overwhelm store employees as the thieves heisted everything from luxury items to household necessities…