RLP NEWS
OKLAHOMA CITY — A new law in Oklahoma will give the state Attorney General expanded powers to prosecute organized retail theft rings — a move praised by major retailers and law enforcement. However, a controversial proposal to lower the felony threshold for shoplifting did not survive the legislative process.
House Bill 1592, authored by Rep. John George (R-Newalla), was crafted based on recommendations from a state task force on organized retail crime. The task force included representatives from the District Attorneys Council, the State Chamber of Commerce, and major retailers like Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, OnCue, and Reasor’s.
New Powers, but No Lower Felony Threshold
Under the new law, effective this November, individuals involved in retail theft operations can face felony charges if two or more aggravating factors are present, including:
-
Involvement of multiple individuals
-
Use of tools like tag removers or foil-lined bags
-
Use of non-public exits or getaway vehicles
-
Tampering with anti-theft devices
-
Possessing or knowingly purchasing stolen goods
Penalties range from five to eight years in prison depending on the value of goods stolen. Convicted individuals will also be required to pay restitution to the affected retailers.
The Oklahoma Attorney General’s office plans to spend approximately $1.1 million to hire six staff members dedicated to investigating and prosecuting retail crime under the new statute.
Push to Reinstate Tougher Shoplifting Penalties
Rep. George originally sought to reduce the felony threshold for shoplifting from $1,000 to $500 — a rollback of State Question 780, a voter-approved criminal justice reform from 2016 that reclassified many non-violent offenses as misdemeanors. However, that provision was removed from the final version of the bill after criticism that it would impose overly harsh penalties on low-level offenders.
“I’m okay with being smart on crime, I just don’t want to go too far,” George said, signaling he may push for changes in a future legislative session — possibly even through a ballot initiative to reverse elements of SQ 780.
Sen. Darrell Weaver (R-Moore), the Senate author of the bill, defended the changes:
“My desire is that this is not about a young person stealing a Snickers bar and throwing the book at them for life — I’m opposed to that.”
Michael Olson, policy counsel for Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform, praised the removal of the lower felony threshold.
“When you work that way, you’re entrapping individuals that may not be engaging in organized retail theft at all and are just stealing over $500,” he said.
The Broader Fight Against Retail Theft
Retail industry groups have ramped up efforts nationwide to combat organized retail crime. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, more than 30 states have enacted laws targeting retail theft rings.
Recent cases in Oklahoma and beyond highlight the scale of the problem:
-
In March, Tulsa police arrested four individuals accused of stealing thousands in merchandise from seven stores.
-
In 2024, two men were arrested in Texas after allegedly stealing $400,000 in Lego sets across several states, including Oklahoma.
-
In 2022, a Tulsa-area woman pleaded guilty to leading a theft ring that cost retailers more than $10 million.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond has joined 37 other attorneys general in calling on Congress to establish a federal Organized Retail Crime Center.
A 2024 report by Oklahoma’s retail theft task force, citing data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, estimated that businesses in the state lost more than $662 million to theft in 2021, resulting in $97 million in lost tax revenue. However, some researchers caution that these figures may be inflated, and a recent Congressional report noted a lack of comprehensive national data on the true impact of organized retail theft.