27/10/2026
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Retail theft isn't a victimless crime. It impacts local businesses, drives up costs, and can ultimately threaten the viability of stores in our community. Your Flint Township Police Department is taking it seriously.
Our Shoplifting Task Force works directly with retail loss prevention teams and the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office to identify repeat offenders, recover stolen merchandise, and pursue enhanced penalties for repeat offenders.
On Friday, the task force, compromised of uniformed and undercover Flint Township officers partnered with area retailers for another coordinated shoplifting blitz. Through surveillance, targeted enforcement, and a zero-tolerance approach, officers were positioned to intervene as thefts occurred and make immediate arrests.
The result: 15 arrests for retail theft offenses, including several individuals with outstanding misdemeanor and felony warrants. Stolen merchandise was also recovered and returned to the retailers.
Our efforts don't stop at the township line. We've built partnerships with retailers throughout the region to address organized and repeat retail theft.
Early Friday morning, the task force received information from Birch Run loss prevention staff regarding a high-value theft involving North Face jackets. Undercover task force officers located the suspect vehicle in Flint Township and maintained surveillance and radio communication until a Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy conducted a traffic stop for them. Task force officers arrested two (2) individuals, recovered merchandise stolen from North Face, seized U.S. currency and additional evidence, and are working with Birch Run Police to facilitate the return of the merchandise and support the investigation.
Why does this matter? When businesses are repeatedly targeted by thieves, the costs don't simply disappear. Retailers absorb losses, security expenses increase, prices can rise, and businesses may eventually reconsider whether it's worth staying open. Our Shoplifting Task Force works to disrupt that cycle through proactive enforcement, coordinated shoplifting blitzes, and strong partnerships with retail loss prevention teams and the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office.
We want businesses to succeed here, not become easy targets for thieves. If you steal from our retailers, expect to be held accountable.
