The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) announced that retail theft arrests have been increasing over the past five years across the state, including in Montgomery County where the numbers went from 2,812 in 2019 to 4,278 in 2023, or 8.9% of the total.
From the AOPC’s data:
| County / Section | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Total | Percentage of Total |
| Montgomery | 2,812 | 1,828 | 2,051 | 3,486 | 4,278 | 14,455 | 8.93% |
| 3929 | 2,791 | 1,813 | 2,037 | 3,383 | 4,002 | 14,026 | 8.66% |
| 3929.1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00% |
| 3929.2 | 17 | 15 | 8 | 13 | 23 | 76 | 0.05% |
| 3929.3 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 90 | 253 | 351 | 0.22% |
According to the AOPC, retail theft offenses in Pennsylvania increased by 53% from 2021 to 2023, following years of decline. Montgomery County, along with Chester and Delaware counties, are among the highest numbers in the state due to population and retail outlets concentrated in those counties.
In September, the counties’ District Attorneys led a workshop on new laws meant to curb retail thefts titled “Organized Retail Crime: Collaboration and Perspectives”, Mainline Media reported.
The collaborative presentation was organized to educate retailers and members of law enforcement about a new law focused on retail theft, particularly organized retail crime rings. The new law, which took effect in July established the Office of Deputy Attorney General for Organized Retail Crime Theft.
From Mainline Media’s coverage:
Under the new law, the retail value thresholds that correlate with second- and third-degree felonies were cut in half, with the result that more felony charges for retail theft will be charged and prosecuted. If the retail value of the stolen merchandise is between $2,500 and $9,999, the offense is now a third-degree felony. Under previous law, the value of the stolen merchandise needed to be between $5,000 and $19,999 to qualify as this kind of felony.
For the first time under this new law, a first-degree felony penalty will be added if the retail value of the stolen merchandise is $50,000 or more.
“Law enforcement officials throughout the Commonwealth have watched with growing alarm the uptick in the number of retail theft incidents, particularly those involving organized networks,” said Stollsteimer in a news release. “Combatting these sophisticated networks requires a coordinated and collaborative approach, which is why we were so eager to move forward with today’s training.”
For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.
Image: www.pacourts.us