Candy Theft Ring Exposes Two Kalamazoo County Strip Malls as Parents and Children Target Convenience Stores for Organized Resale Operation

Organized Operation Turns Convenience Stores Into Cash Machines

*OSHTOMO TOWNSHIP, MI* — What started as complaints from department store employees has evolved into a full-blown criminal investigation involving parents and children allegedly stealing candy bars from two Kalamazoo County strip malls and reselling them to unsuspecting customers.

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office is investigating 31 cases of children and parents selling stolen candy, said Michelle Greenlee, Kalamazoo County undersheriff.

"The sheriff's office has received 'quite a number of complaints' called in by department stores, prompted by customers reporting the kids are being 'aggressive or harassing,'" Greenlee said.

Strip Mall Becomes Candy Distribution Center

The operation has become something of a candy distribution hub, with kids targeting specific stores and selling to customers at nearby locations.

"The kids target Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Target and Walgreens in the Maple Hill Pavilion, 5022 W. Main St., to allegedly steal the candy," Greenlee explained. "They then cross West Main Street and sell the stolen candy outside Kohl's, Harding's Marketplace and Lowe's in the Westmain Shopping Center, 5125 W. Main St., Greenlee said."

Employees at Target have called law enforcement to report the "candy boys" are appearing in the stores regularly, according to James Porter, attorney for Oshtemo Township.

"Parents help the children by driving them to the various locations," Porter said.

Township Responds with New Ordinance

The thefts have prompted a swift response from local government. The Oshtemo Township Board of Trustees unanimously passed an ordinance on March 24 requiring candy sellers obtain a license from the township, which gives law enforcement more freedom to question the sellers.

Organized Retail Fraud Charges Possible

"Some parents have been charged already and law enforcement is still awaiting charges from the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office for the children involved," Greenlee said.

Greenlee said charges of organized retail fraud are being considered, but could not provide more details about the specific charges.

Money Motive Driving Operation

The operation is financially lucrative, with kids able to make up to $90 per box of the stolen candy, according to Porter.

Community Impact

The complaints have grown as customers report children being aggressive or harassing in the stores. Department employees have become increasingly frustrated with the repeated incidents.

"Employees at Target have called law enforcement to report the 'candy boys' are here," Porter said.

The situation has created an unusual dynamic at what should be routine shopping destinations, with convenience stores and grocery outlets in the Maple Hill Pavilion serving as the primary theft targets.

Ongoing Investigation

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the scope of the operation and work to bring charges against those involved. The 31 cases under investigation suggest this is an organized, ongoing criminal enterprise rather than isolated incidents.

As law enforcement digs deeper into the details, the community awaits further action to put an end to what has become a significant nuisance for shoppers and business owners alike.