New York City supermarkets are grappling with an escalating crisis as an armed gang of shoplifters, operating with brazen impunity, continues to terrorize stores across the five boroughs. Grocers report hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses and feel abandoned by law enforcement, leading many to take personal risks to protect their businesses. This situation highlights a critical disconnect between official crime statistics and the lived reality of small business owners facing a sophisticated, organized criminal enterprise.
New York City’s grocery stores are facing an unprecedented wave of organized retail theft, spearheaded by a knife-wielding gang that has stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise since July. Store owners describe a climate of fear and frustration, alleging that the NYPD is largely ignoring their pleas for help, leaving them to confront dangerous criminals themselves.
The Escalating Threat: An Organized Criminal Enterprise
This isn’t just petty shoplifting; it’s a calculated operation. A crew of five individuals has systematically targeted dozens of supermarkets across the city, brazenly filling backpacks with high-value items like beef, salami, and seafood. According to grocers, these thieves often flash blades at workers who attempt to intervene before speeding off in getaway cars. Efrain Castro, owner of a Fine Fare in Upper Manhattan, detailed how the gang can steal “about $800 worth of Dominican salamis” in a single, swift raid, highlighting their efficiency and purpose-driven approach to what he calls “a business for them.”
The scale of the problem is vast. Samuel Collado, president of the National Supermarket Association (NSA), estimates that over 100 stores have been hit, with total losses soaring into hundreds of thousands of dollars. The NSA, which represents 200 New York members, believes the gang’s actual reach is likely far greater than what has been reported, underscoring the severity of this organized crime wave.
A Sense of Abandonment: Grocers vs. Law Enforcement
Supermarket owners express a profound sense of abandonment by law enforcement, particularly under Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. They argue that calling the authorities is futile, as repeat offenders are frequently released, often after being charged with low-level offenses. “It’s incredible that those guys have been able to get away with this for so long,” Collado remarked, lamenting the unprecedented nature of such an organized group operating freely.
The situation escalated tragically last month when a 64-year-old worker at a Morton Williams in Midtown Manhattan died after a scuffle with a shoplifting suspect. While this incident had no apparent connection to the organized gang, it has become a rallying cry for store owners, amplifying their concerns about the perceived lack of consistent police interest in the shoplifting crisis. The suspect in that case remains at large, with the investigation ongoing and the death not yet ruled a homicide, as reported by AOL News.
NYPD’s Response: Statistics vs. Reality
The NYPD publicly asserts that retail theft is down 13% this year, contributing to an overall decrease in crime. They attribute this drop to an “overhaul of its approach,” including:
- Deploying officers on foot posts in high-propensity locations.
- Placing special emphasis on investigating petit larceny.
- Establishing patterns and identifying recidivists.
- Coordinating with transit officers to catch fleeing shoplifters.
- Emphasizing these crimes at weekly CompStat meetings.
Last year, the NYPD launched a pilot program in the 46th precinct in the Bronx, implementing “old-school tactics” to combat shoplifting, a move that the New York Post originally reported. Local grocer Carlos Collado noted that the gang has been less active in this precinct where the pilot remains in effect. Additionally, the state has taken steps to increase penalties for retail theft, making it easier to charge the crime as a felony, as detailed in a report by the New York Post.
Despite these efforts and positive statistics, grocers feel their calls are often dismissed. “NYPD gives us the impression that we are bothering them when we call to report these crimes,” Samuel Collado stated. Store owners recounted harrowing experiences where their employees, after calling the police, were swept up with the thieves and taken to precincts, only for the criminals to accuse them of assault. This fear of retaliation and bureaucratic entanglement discourages many from reporting incidents, leading to an underreporting that might skew official crime figures.
Grocers Taking Matters Into Their Own Hands
Feeling unsupported, supermarket owners have established their own networks. The NSA facilitates a WhatsApp chat group where members alert each other to recent heists in real time. This grassroots intelligence sharing has become a vital tool for defense.
The boldness of the thieves is another concern; they frequently enter stores in pairs without attempting to conceal their identities, as shown in video footage. Physical confrontations are common, with shoplifters often ready to fight once items are in their possession. This forces employees and security personnel into dangerous situations, like the incident at Castro’s Fine Fare on September 8, where a security guard successfully apprehended two thieves but two others escaped during the distraction.
These thefts represent a complete financial loss for supermarket owners, as insurance deductibles typically stand at $5,000 per incident. “We never call the police unless it’s a violent issue,” said Steven Sloan, co-owner of the Morton Williams chain, emphasizing the impracticality of waiting an hour for police to arrive while attempting to hold a shoplifter. “We are not a jail and we can’t hold them.”
The Path Forward: Community Action and Police Initiatives
Earlier this month, the NSA met with officials from the 45th and 48th precincts in the Bronx, where police encouraged grocers to diligently file reports for every incident. The pilot program in the 46th precinct, praised for its effectiveness by Carlos Collado, allows retailers to upload photos and videos of shoplifters to a WhatsApp group in real-time, granting detectives immediate access. Moreover, detectives have shared their personal numbers, fostering direct communication with store owners.
While this pilot program shows promise and is slated to continue, the NYPD has not indicated plans for wider expansion. The challenge remains to bridge the gap between official crime reduction narratives and the acute vulnerability felt by individual business owners.
The rise of organized shoplifting gangs in NYC supermarkets is more than just a crime wave; it’s a testament to the evolving challenges faced by small businesses and urban communities. It underscores the critical need for effective, coordinated efforts between law enforcement, policymakers, and community stakeholders to ensure safety, security, and the continued vitality of essential neighborhood establishments.
