Kids Stealing Candy From One Store, Selling at Another Make Up to $90 Per Box in Kalamazoo County Crime Wave

OSHTEMO TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Oshtemo Township officials say they are confronting a serious problem in their community. Kids are stealing boxes of candy from one store, bringing them to a nearby store, and selling them for profit. Kids can make up to $90 a box, according to Township Attorney Jim Porter, and sometimes get rides from their parents to go from one store to the other.

Target will call and say, the candy boys are here, Porter said during a recent meeting. The stores are saying, please, for the love of God and all that's holy, will you put a stop to this? It's terrible, they're losing a lot.

Although the problem has been going on for months, local law enforcement's hands were tied. In order to take action, there would have to be probable cause to a violation of an ordinance or state law. And in this case, they weren't necessarily violating anything, Porter said.

In response, the township has approved ordinance amendments requiring anyone selling goods outside commercial establishments to either be a registered charitable organization or hold a township-issued Hawkers and Peddlers license.

What that will allow our officers to do is when they approach these youths to say, do you have a license? No. Is your organization registered? No. You are in violation of a local ordinance, said Porter.

Officials noted that their goal is not to impede on any legitimate fundraising, but provide officers with another tool in the toolbox to deter criminal activity. The amendments are intended to give police clear authority to verify lawful sales and take action if necessary.

Candy Boys Exploiting Loophole Between Target and Nearby Retailers

The candy theft scheme has become a significant headache for retailers in the Oshtemo Township area. According to Porter, the pattern is straightforward but devastating for store profits.

The stores are losing thousands of dollars because of this, he said. Target will call and say, the candy boys are here.

The candy boys exploit a loophole in the current system. They steal boxes of candy from one store, typically Target, and then walk to a nearby store and sell the candy. The second store has no way of knowing the candy was stolen, and the boys are not technically violating any law since they are selling goods in a public space.

Parents Driving Kids to Commit Theft

Perhaps most alarming to officials is the role parents may be playing in this scheme. Porter noted that some children are getting rides from their parents to transport the stolen candy from one location to another.

Sometimes the parents are even giving them rides to go from one store to the next, Porter said.

This suggests the situation may have evolved from opportunistic theft to an organized operation where families are participating in the theft for profit.

New Ordinance Closes the Loophole

The revised ordinance now requires anyone selling goods outside commercial businesses to be part of a recognized charitable organization registered with the township or obtain a valid hawkers and peddlers license.

The ordinance also requires that charitable organizations must have proper documentation showing they are registered with the township. This means random street sales without proper permits will now be considered violations.

The amendment closes the loophole that allowed unsupervised youth sales, according to township officials.

The ordinance does not target legitimate fundraising efforts. Charitable organizations that register properly with the township and obtain the necessary permits can continue to sell goods in public spaces for fundraising purposes.

Police Can Now Enforce the Ordinance

Under the new rules, police officers have clear authority to verify whether street vendors have proper permits or registration. Officers can now approach vendors and ask for their Hawkers and Peddlers license or proof of charitable registration.

What that will allow our officers to do is when they approach these youths to say, do you have a license? No. Is your organization registered? No. You are in violation of a local ordinance, Porter said.

This gives law enforcement a concrete basis for taking action against unauthorized street sales that were previously impossible to address under existing ordinances.

Community Concerns About Safety and Security

The candy theft operation has raised concerns beyond just financial losses for retailers. Officials say the situation represents a broader community safety issue that needs to be addressed.

The ordinance amendments come after months of complaints from local businesses about the candy theft scheme. Target and other retailers have been losing thousands of dollars while law enforcement could not take action without a violation of existing ordinances.

Next Steps for Enforcement

Township officials say the new ordinance will be enforced immediately. Police officers will begin checking for permits and registrations on anyone selling goods outside commercial establishments.

We need to see the spaces, officials said during the meeting where the ordinance was approved.

The township has made it clear that legitimate charitable organizations are welcome, but unauthorized street sales will now be considered violations of local law.

Wider Implications

The candy boys ordinance represents a significant shift in how Oshtemo Township handles street sales and unauthorized vending. The new rules close a loophole that has allowed children to engage in organized theft for profit without facing legal consequences.

Retailers in the area say the new ordinance should help them recoup some of the losses they have suffered over the past several months.

Sources

  • https://wwmt.com/news/local/candy-boys-updated-ordinance-township-kids-police-stores-selling-law-enforcement-profit-law-michigan-wwmt
  • https://www.oshtemo.org/files/assets/public/v/1/applications/documents/hawkers-peddlers-solicitors-license-ordinance.pdf