Tim Griffin sees success in prosecuting organized retail criminals

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said a recent multi-state alliance targeting organized retail crime is paying off. The Organized Retail Crime Alliance (ORCA) consists of agents from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.”Over the past month, coordinated ‘blitzes’ have resulted in 17 arrests in North Little Rock, Little Rock, and Conway of individuals involved in organized retail crime activities. These operations have also recovered stolen property. This is in addition to the multi-state operation based in Blytheville my office supported earlier this year that resulted in nine arrests.”

The most recent blitz was done in coordination by the Office of the Attorney General and saw collaboration between the North Little Rock, Little Rock, and Conway police departments, as well as Homeland Security Investigations and 11 private-industry partners. The blitz operations occurred in each city for only one day, starting in North Little Rock on August 15th, then Little Rock on August 22nd, and finally in Conway on September 12th.

In these blitz operations, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies partnered with area retail stores to target thefts and develop information related to organized crime. The successful operations lead to the arrest of 17 people, eight of which were charged with felonies. Numerous stolen items were recovered, including a vehicle that was returned to its rightful owner.

Griffin announced the state’s involvement with the Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama Organized Retail Crime Alliance (LAMA ORCA) in July 2023. Since its formation, ORC Task Forces have been established in Little Rock, and in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana. LAMA ORCA has partnered with local, state, and federal agencies to conduct eight blitzes throughout four states.

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