Oshtemo Township Passes New Ordinance to Crack Down on Candy Theft and Resale by Juveniles

"Candy Boys" Steal, Resell in Shopping Plaza Parking Lots as Oshtemo Township Updates Solicitation Rules

Business owners in Oshtemo Township are reporting a growing problem with juveniles stealing candy from stores and reselling it in shopping plaza parking lots. The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office has received 30 reports about the issue and has recommended charges for two adults involved with the children for the candy theft turned sale.

Kids as Young as 8 Involved in Organized Candy Theft Ring

According to the sheriff's office, children as young as 8 years old are doing the selling in Oshtemo Township. Muhammad Alfaraj owns House of Champions Gym in the impacted area off West Main Street and 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.

Alfaraj said one time there was one dude that was with them between 18 and 20 who carried a huge gun with them. He asked if you're selling candy why are you doing this.

One time there was one dude that was with them between 18 and 20. He carried a huge gun with them. If you're selling candy why are you doing this? Alfaraj said.

Deputies' Hands Were Tied Without Ordinance Change

Captain Logan Bishop of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office said deputies' hands were tied because although businesses were calling about unauthorized sales and deputies suspected a connection to the candy thefts they had no probable cause to engage.

With the solicitation exception for minors in place deputies didn't need a permit to be selling anything. The change removes that exception and enforces that these nonprofit organizations now register with the township clerk something the exemption excused them from doing when solicitations on their behalf were being done by minors.

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 Bishop said.

Kids Can Make Up to $90 Per Box

Township Attorney Jim Porter said kids can make up to $90 a box and sometimes get rides from their parents to go from one store to the other.

The sheriff's office said they've received 30 reports about the issue and recommended charges for two adults involved with the children for the candy theft turned sale. The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office says they've identified a particular group of kids that have been participating in the candy stealing and reselling and believe it's becoming more widespread by word-of-mouth.

New Ordinance Gives Deputies Probable Cause

The new ordinance will not likely impact events like Girl Scout cookie sales. The ordinance change officially took effect on Thursday and tightened the requirements for legal solicitation.

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. 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 the tools to address this situation and hold parents accountable when minors are involved all with the goal of reducing fraud and theft in our community. Oshtemo Township statement.

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office says slight change in Oshtemo Township ordinance should help them cut down on a rise in retail theft and fraud. Stores like Family Dollar Dollar Tree Target and Walgreens in the Maple Hill Pavilion are the main targets for the thefts of boxes of candy bars.

Stores like Family Dollar Dollar Tree Target and Walgreens in the Maple Hill Pavilion are the main targets for the thefts of boxes of candy bars with the so-called candy boys then selling the product in front of storefronts across the street WKZO.

Ordinance Update Provides Law Enforcement Tools

In collaboration with Oshtemo Township officials and legal counsel the Sheriff's Office reviewed existing ordinances and identified that the Township's Hawking/Peddling Ordinance could be utilized to help address this issue. With a minor modification the ordinance now requires individuals to obtain authorization through township offices prior to selling goods or services within the township.

The Sheriff's Office says 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. Additionally the ordinance holds individuals accountable not only for unauthorized sales but also for knowingly assisting others in the sale of goods without a permit.

Community Enforcement Team Aware of Ongoing Issue

The township board said their community enforcement team is aware of one particular group of kids that have been participating in the candy stealing and reselling and believe it's becoming more widespread by word-of-mouth. At the time deputies' hands were tied because although businesses were calling about the unauthorized sales and deputies suspected a connection to the candy thefts they had no probable cause to engage.

With the solicitation exception for minors in place they didn't need a permit to be selling anything WWMT.