HOUSTON – It was Valentine’s Day, the Monkees of Houston boutique was busy with shoppers.
“There was a lot of people,” said co-owner Lisa West.
Surveillance video West shared with KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun shows what appears to be two women stealing.
“They just made their rounds and right before they left, they took two dresses off the rack with hangers and just stole them and went out the door,” West said. “They just didn’t care.”
The National Retail Federation says Houston is on the top five list for cities with significant organized retail crime.
- LOS ANGELES
- SAN FRANCISCO/OAKLAND
- HOUSTON
- NEW YORK
- SEATTLE
“But let’s be honest retail crime is happening everywhere and we have to look at it from a whole nation approach,” said David Johnston, Vice President of Asset Protection and Retail Operations for the National Retail Federation during a 2023 security survey call. “The retail industry continues to deal with unprecedented levels of crime, theft, and violence. These issues are touching and impacting retailers of all sizes, segments, and locations across the United States.”
West has worked in retail for years and agrees the ‘smash-and-grabs’ and overall theft is up.
“I think it’s been going on, but we didn’t see as much until after COVID where it was heavily happening in different areas of Houston,” West said. “Even more affluent areas of Houston where they will come in and go out. I just don’t think they care anymore.”
“The types of products shoplifters are targeting may not be based solely on price point. Products can range from high-price, high-fashion items to everyday products that have a fast resale capability,” the NRF said in a 2023 press release. “While ORC groups have traditionally targeted specific items or types of goods, that list has expanded to new categories like outerwear, batteries, energy drinks, designer footwear and kitchen accessories.”
Houston police say they regularly work with businesses with loss prevention and help other companies when they’re asked.