Organized Retail Fraud Unfolds at Maple Hill Pavilion and Westmain Shopping Center

*OSHTEMO TOWNSHIP* — An organized theft ring targeting candy at Kalamazoo County strip malls has prompted law enforcement intervention and a new ordinance update in Oshtemo Township.

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office is investigating 31 cases of children and parents selling stolen candy at two shopping centers: the Maple Hill Pavilion at 5022 W. Main St. and the Westmain Shopping Center at 5125 W. Main St.

"Two Kalamazoo County strip malls have become the center of an organized effort to steal and resell candy bars to unsuspecting customers," said Michelle Greenlee, Kalamazoo County undersheriff.

The Operation

According to deputies and township officials, the operation involves children targeting specific stores at the Maple Hill Pavilion — Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Target and Walgreens — where they allegedly run into stores and take boxes of candy bars.

The stolen candy is then sold outside storefronts across the street at the Westmain Shopping Center, including Kohl's, Harding's Marketplace and Lowe's.

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

Parents are allegedly helping their children by driving them to the various locations, according to township officials. The kids allegedly target large boxes of candy bars, which can sell for up to $90 per box.

Law Enforcement Challenges

The issue has created significant challenges for deputies who suspected a connection to the thefts but lacked probable cause to engage the sellers.

"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.

Township officials noted that the community enforcement team is aware of one particular group of kids participating in the candy stealing and reselling, and believe it's becoming more widespread by word-of-mouth.

One business owner, Muhammad Alfaraj, who owns House of Champions Gym in the impacted area off West Main Street, said he has seen the young people firsthand.

"You have kids walking around, early in the day, late in the night. Bothering people if you're going to buy candy. That sort of thing. And they keep coming to you. It's not a one-time thing," Alfaraj said.

New Ordinance Takes Effect

In late March, the Oshtemo Charter Township Board amended their soliciting rules to address what they called "a growing trend" of kids and young adults reselling stolen candy. The ordinance change officially took effect on Thursday.

Previously, the ordinance allowed minors to solicit without a license or official township registration on behalf of a nonprofit organization such as a school, charity or religious group. The new change removes that exception and now requires these nonprofit organizations to register with the township clerk.

"The spirit of this ordinance update is to strengthen oversight of solicitors and reduce fraud, while intentionally avoiding the collection of personal information about minors," Oshtemo Township officials said in a statement. "We are coordinating with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office in response to complaints about juveniles aggressively selling candy outside local businesses."

The ordinance now gives law enforcement probable cause to confront suspected stolen candy sales and properly address "lower-level offenses proactively" as part of "a broader community safety strategy."

"The update provides deputies with a tool to identify individuals operating outside of the ordinance and supports ongoing investigative efforts related to retail theft and fraud," said Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office officials.

Current Investigation Status

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

"Charges of organized retail fraud are being considered," Greenlee said, though she could not provide more specific details.

The ordinance was unanimously passed on March 24 by the Oshtemo Township Board of Trustees.

What the Ordinance Does and Doesn't Target

Township Attorney Jim Porter clarified that the ordinance change is not meant to make legitimate fundraising efforts more difficult. The new rules will likely not impact events like Girl Scout cookie sales.

However, the ordinance does hold individuals accountable not only for unauthorized sales but also for knowingly assisting others in the sale of goods without a permit.

"While it seems to be minor, a juvenile, stealing some candy, what they've seen it lead to and what we believe it's leading to is more serious issues in the parking lot," Captain Logan Bishop of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office said.

Community Impact

Business owners and customers report the children have been aggressive and harassing, particularly when trying to sell their stolen merchandise. Department store employees have repeatedly called law enforcement to report the incidents.

The township's community enforcement team believes the operation has become more widespread through word-of-mouth, with parents driving their children between stores to maximize profits from the stolen candy.

As the investigation continues, the new ordinance provides law enforcement with the tools they need to address what has become a growing community safety issue.

Sources:

  • Fox 17: https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/kzoo-bc/kalamazoo/kids-stealing-then-selling-candy-prompts-ordinance-change-intervention-from-the-kalamazoo-county-sheriffs-office
  • WWMT: https://wwmt.com/news/local/stolen-candy-resellers-solicitation-ordinance-kalamzoo-county-sheriff-office-deputies-minors-exceptions-removed-nonprofits-register-clerk-license-oshtemo-township-western-michigan-04-06-2026
  • MLive: https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2026/04/candy-theft-scheme-police-investigating-31-cases-of-parents-kids-selling-stolen-sweets.html
  • WKZO: https://wkzo.com/2026/04/06/911924/