Organized Retail Fraud Unfolds at Two Kalamazoo County Strip Malls

*OSHTIMO TOWNSHIP, MI* — An organized theft and reselling operation has turned two Kalamazoo County strip malls into the epicenter of what law enforcement officials are calling organized retail fraud, with parents allegedly helping their children steal candy from stores and resell it just across the street.

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office is investigating 31 cases of children and parents selling stolen candy, according to Michelle Greenlee, Kalamazoo County undersheriff. The scheme has drawn complaints from employees at multiple major retailers who have witnessed the aggressive behavior of young customers.

The Operation: Steal Here, Sell There

According to James Porter, attorney for Oshtemo Township, the operation follows a predictable pattern:

  • Kids target stores in the Maple Hill Pavilion at 5022 W. Main St., including Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Target, and Walgreens
  • They then cross West Main Street to the Westmain Shopping Center at 5125 W. Main St.
  • Stolen candy is sold outside Kohl's, Harding's Marketplace, and Lowe's

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

Parents allegedly drive the children to various locations, helping facilitate what officials describe as an organized effort to resell the stolen goods.

Potential Profits and Aggressive Behavior

The financial incentive appears substantial for the young offenders. According to Porter:

"Kids can make up to $90 per box of the stolen candy."

Beyond the theft itself, the children have been causing disturbances at the shopping centers. Greenlee told reporters:

"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.'"

Township Responds with New Ordinance

The Oshtemo Township Board of Trustees responded to the growing problem by passing an ordinance on March 24 that requires candy sellers to obtain a license from the township. The ordinance was unanimously passed by the board members.

"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," Greenlee explained.

The license requirement is intended to give law enforcement greater ability to identify and track the individuals involved in the scheme.

Criminal Charges Under Investigation

According to Greenlee, some parents have already been charged with crimes related to the theft scheme. However, law enforcement is still awaiting charges from the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office for the children involved in the operation.

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

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

Multiple Complaints from Retailers

The problem has been noticed by employees at several major retailers. According to Greenlee, Target employees have specifically called law enforcement to report the incidents. Multiple complaints have been filed about the children's aggressive and harassing behavior toward other customers.

The organized nature of the scheme has drawn significant attention from law enforcement officials, who describe it as a serious criminal operation involving both minors and their parents.

Community Impact

The strip malls along West Main Street in Oshtemo Township have become the focal point of this unusual criminal enterprise. The Maple Hill Pavilion and Westmain Shopping Center, which are located directly across from each other, have become the operational base for what officials are describing as an organized retail fraud scheme.

As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials say they are working to identify all participants and bring charges against those responsible for the thefts and reselling operation.