The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Organized Retail Crime Unit has made significant strides in its first full year of operations, resulting in 60 criminal charges, the initiation of over 100 new investigations, and the seizure of nearly $500,000 in stolen goods and cash. This announcement was made by officials in Harrisburg, PA, highlighting the unit’s focus on combating high-value retail theft schemes that inflate prices for consumers.
Strategic Operations Against Retail Theft
Launched in the summer of 2024 and reaching full operational capacity in 2025, the Organized Retail Crime Unit is headed by Dave Sunday. The unit targets organized theft operations, return fraud, and online purchase scams across Pennsylvania. Investigations were opened in 52 of the state’s 67 counties, with the team collaborating with local, state, and federal law enforcement to tackle complex criminal enterprises.
In a statement, Sunday emphasized the importance of coordinated enforcement, expressing optimism about the results achieved and suggesting further investigations are underway as the unit expands its reach. The establishment of the unit was made possible by the enactment of Act 42 of 2023, which reclassified retail theft exceeding $50,000 as a first-degree felony.
Last year alone, authorities reported seizing nearly $250,000 in stolen merchandise statewide. The estimated total value of goods that were resold or transferred before recovery is believed to amount to millions of dollars. To bolster its efforts, the Office of Attorney General joined the national Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance, a coalition dedicated to addressing gift card fraud and associated retail crimes.
Notable Cases and Ongoing Investigations
The Organized Retail Crime Unit comprises 12 agents and seven attorneys who operate throughout Pennsylvania. Among the notable cases from 2025 is a prosecution against Eugene Antwi, who allegedly used stolen credit and debit card information to place over 200 online orders totaling more than $65,000 for premium liquor from Fine Wine and Spirits stores across 21 counties.
Another case involves Charros Montanez, charged with purchasing Apple AirPods and returning counterfeit versions at 37 Walmart stores, resulting in more than $20,000 in fraudulent profits. In addition, two men were charged in a scheme that targeted Lowe’s customer accounts, impacting at least 18 stores across multiple counties, including Bucks and Philadelphia.
In separate incidents in southcentral Pennsylvania, three individuals faced charges linked to Lowe’s credit card account takeovers exceeding $60,000. Authorities also apprehended Nilson Peralta Rodriguez, an Amazon employee, accused of stealing over $50,000 in merchandise from a Bucks County distribution center and reselling it in the Reading area.
In western Pennsylvania, two suspects were charged for stealing Cub Cadet riding mowers valued between $2,000 and $3,000 each from Tractor Supply and Home Depot stores. Furthermore, five individuals were charged in a conspiracy to alter video gaming device redemption tickets across six counties, generating more than $50,000 in illicit profits.
Officials believe that the crackdown on organized retail theft will intensify as the Organized Retail Crime Unit continues its efforts statewide. The unit’s proactive approach aims not only to recover stolen goods but also to deter future criminal activities that impact retailers and consumers alike.
