(Pleasant Prairie Police Department)
Pleasant Prairie, Wis. — A sweeping retail theft blitz targeting organized shoplifting operations at two major Pleasant Prairie shopping centers has led to six arrests and 14 criminal charges, authorities announced this week.
The operation, coordinated by the Pleasant Prairie Police Department with support from regional and federal partners, focused on the Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets and the Shoppes at Prairie Ridge. Charges include felony and misdemeanor retail theft, felony possession of anti-theft removal devices, possession of THC, and resisting or obstructing an officer. Police say additional merchandise was recovered from stores not officially involved in the sting—those retailers have opted to pursue charges independently.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
“This operation is a strong demonstration of our collective commitment to addressing the rise in organized retail theft that continues to impact businesses and community safety,” said Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis (R), who was on-site during the blitz, along with the office’s investigator, and an Assistant District Attorney. “Unlike previous administrations that did not make these crimes a priority, my office is taking a firm and proactive approach.”
Solis said retail theft is far from a minor offense. “It is often driven by sophisticated criminal groups who treat theft as a business model,” he said. “Many of the individuals arrested have ties to transnational gangs, some of which operate out of sanctuary cities such as Chicago and areas like Milwaukee, where retail theft is often not prosecuted as harshly.”
“These offenders travel across jurisdictions, believing they can exploit perceived gaps in enforcement,” Solis added. “That will not be the case in Kenosha County. We are closing those gaps, holding offenders accountable, and sending a clear message: if you come here to steal, you will face serious consequences.”
(Pleasant Prairie Police Department)
He also noted that his office is working with federal partners—including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—to identify and investigate individuals who cross state lines to commit crimes. “No one is above the law, regardless of where they come from or how far they’ve traveled to commit these crimes,” Solis said.
The retail theft blitz was conducted with the cooperation of 15 retailers and the support of the Wisconsin Organized Retail Crime Association (WIORCA), the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office. The Pleasant Prairie Police Department said the effort was part of a broader strategy to respond to growing concerns about organized theft rings operating across multiple jurisdictions.
(Pleasant Prairie Police Department)
The operation follows a troubling nationwide trend. According to the National Retail Federation, the number of shoplifting incidents increased 93% in 2023 compared to 2019, with a 90% spike in overall dollar loss. The same study found that 91% of retailers report shoplifters are becoming more aggressive and violent.
Solis said the county’s new membership in WIORCA strengthens its ability to collaborate across jurisdictions and dismantle organized theft networks. “This partnership enhances information-sharing and reinforces our efforts to take down organized theft rings operating across city and county lines,” he said.
(Pleasant Prairie Police Department)
He also praised the officers involved in the operation. “It was a privilege for me to personally attend the retail theft blitz and witness firsthand the incredible hard work, coordination, and professionalism of the officers involved,” Solis said. “These officers are working long hours, often behind the scenes, to investigate and dismantle organized theft operations and recover stolen merchandise.”
Both Solis and police officials said additional operations are planned in the future. “We are committed to prosecuting these crimes to the fullest extent of the law,” Solis said. “Our office will continue to support law enforcement efforts, prioritize these cases, and ensure justice is served.”
“We’re proud to stand with our officers, our retailers, and our community in the fight against organized retail crime.”
37 Responses
Long past due and truly welcome action from our new DA. Thanks to everyone involved helping make our county safe again.
Definitely not worth risking prison, or even
death, for such penny ante items.
Some people have such low aspirations
for themselves.
At least you didn’t deprive anybody of
any work boots.
Old school K-Town. You can pull that crap in Waukegan, Gurnee, Racine and Milwaukee just stay out of Kenosha. I miss the 80s.
Was K-town tough on crime back then? Interested to hear more.
Very little “black crime” in the 80’s.
Waukegan hadn’t moved north yet back then?
GREAT JOB XAVIER!!!!!
You mean you have to PAY now ???
When did that start ??
🤣🤣🤣
Great job… thank you for catching and ousting these thugs! Maybe it will send a message to the next group of filthing thugs to think twice! … but that mall, and actually all malls, even though they are outdoor malls, should have mall security police at all times!
Great job xavier and police officers
I’d love to see pictures posted of the last 20 or so large theft suspects from prime outlets. I bet they’d look oddly similar, which statistically makes no sense.
Please list the stores that opted not to prosecute, so I know where not to shop anymore.
Amen! No way I want to support a business that promotes catch and release criminality.
Dude they really stole the Hello Kitty wall art from five below 😭
Don’t celebrate just yet.Let’s see what our judges do first.
Organized retail theft has been a long standing problem at the malls. This is not some local kid taking lipstick on a dare or a poor mom hiding a bottle of Children’s Tylenol. These are organized criminal rings who often steal to order and then resell the merchandise. Some do have links to international criminal organizations. Kudos to all for putting the heat on. Let’s hope it continues.
The minute you defended some people for stealing, you lost all credibility
When I shop out there I can just feel how exposed those employees are. My husband always carries his gun. Even as a shopper I feel vulnerable because of these out-of-towners
How great would it be to have a public forum in which we (the public) could watch these 6 scumbags lose a hand for thieving? Should they be found guilty.. I would bet they wouldn’t steal more than twice.
They didndonuffin!
That’s a reparations discounty
Y’all rascist!
🥱 troll.
????
They must have thought Gravely and McNeil were still handing out plea deals for no jail time.
Thank God this was Pleasant Prairie and not Kenosha, because if KPD Det. Melichar would have gotten the case we all know the outcome. POS.
KPD Det. Jason Melichar is on this case!!
Thank God that “former, long time, KPD Detective JM” is NOT investigating these crimes…..we all know what the outcome would be then.
Were they…..
…..
….
Yep.
Sheeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitt!
Needs to be legislation that allows the seizure of vehicle used to cross state line and/or used in the crime.
Was it them, Yogi?
It’s always them, Boo Boo.
Solis compared to Graveley is like comparing Trump to Biden….Professionalism and accountability vs. Empty promises. Thank God voters are getting to see the stark difference between the parties.
Starting to see, maybe. Wisconsin just voted for a radical Socialist Supreme Court Judge. Sad turn out at the polls.
A lot of lazy ass voters in Wisconsin.. Kenosha county starting to look like lake county, il and not in a good way
Great job PPPD. Mr. Solis will take care of them
Dey dindunuffin. Dis sum racist sheet.
This has been going on for years . I worked at Sears in the early 80’s. Was going on back then. So ridiculous.. love it when they got offended for following them in the store.