Kalamazoo County Strip Mall Candy Theft Scheme Targets Children, Parents Charged With Organized Retail Fraud

Organized "Candy Boys" Operation Steals Sweets From Two Kalamazoo County Shopping Centers

*OSHTOMO TOWNSHIP, MI — An organized theft and reselling operation has turned two Kalamazoo County strip malls into the epicenter of a candy theft ring targeting unsuspecting shoppers. The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office is investigating 31 cases of children and their parents selling stolen candy, according to undersheriff Michelle Greenlee*.

The scheme involves kids targeting stores at the Maple Hill Pavilion on the east side of West Main Street, then selling the stolen candy to customers outside stores at the Westmain Shopping Center on the west side of the same street.

"The kids target Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Target and Walgreens in the Maple Hill Pavilion, 5022 W. Main St., to allegedly steal the candy," said James Porter, attorney for Oshtemo Township. "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."

Parents Driving Kids to Steal Candy from Multiple Stores

The operation appears to be a coordinated effort where parents actively facilitate the thefts by transporting children to the various retail locations.

"Parents help the children by driving them to the various locations," said James Porter. "Employees at Target have called law enforcement to report the 'candy boys' are here."

Porter described a systematic approach where children would run into stores and take candy, creating chaos at the checkout lines and alarming store employees.

"The kids are running into the stores and taking the candy," said James Porter. "Employees at Target have called law enforcement to report the 'candy boys' are here."

The sheriff's office has received numerous complaints from department stores, with customers reporting that the children were being "aggressive or harassing" toward other shoppers.

"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,'" said undersheriff Michelle Greenlee.

Township Responds with Licensing Ordinance

In response to the escalating problem, the Oshtemo Township Board of Trustees unanimously passed an ordinance on March 24 requiring candy sellers to obtain a license from the township. The licensing requirement gives law enforcement more authority to question sellers about their sources and activities.

"The thefts prompted the Oshtemo Township Board of Trustees to pass an ordinance requiring sellers obtain a license from the township, which gives law enforcement more freedom to question the sellers," said undersheriff Michelle Greenlee.

The ordinance was passed unanimously on March 24, signaling the township's commitment to addressing the growing problem.

Financial Scale and Potential Charges

The operation appears to be quite profitable for the children involved. James Porter revealed that kids can make up to $90 per box of the stolen candy.

"Kids can make up to $90 per box of the stolen candy," said James Porter.

Regarding potential criminal charges, undersheriff Greenlee indicated that organized retail fraud charges are being considered, though she could not provide additional details at this time.

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

Legal Action Underway

Some parents have already been charged in connection with the scheme, while law enforcement continues to await charges from the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office for the children involved.

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

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to identify all participants in the organized theft ring and determine the full scope of the operation.

Community Impact

The candy theft scheme has created significant disruption for shoppers at both the Maple Hill Pavilion and Westmain Shopping Center. Store employees have been forced to deal with repeated thefts, and customers have been harassed by children attempting to sell stolen goods.

The situation highlights a growing concern about juvenile delinquency and organized retail theft in the Kalamazoo County area, with law enforcement working to dismantle the operation and bring those responsible to justice.