KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis has been selected as a featured speaker at the Wisconsin Organized Retail Crime Association’s annual conference, where he will address prosecutors, law enforcement officials, retail investigators, and industry leaders from across Wisconsin and Illinois on Kenosha County’s efforts to combat organized retail theft.
Solis is scheduled to present Tuesday at the WIORCA Annual Conference at Waukesha County Technical College. His presentation will focus on Kenosha County’s approach to prosecuting organized retail crime, recent case studies, and the impact of Wisconsin’s new retail theft laws.
Since taking office in early 2025, Solis has earned a reputation for taking a hardline approach toward organized retail theft cases, frequently working with law enforcement agencies to pursue offenders accused of targeting businesses throughout southeastern Wisconsin.
“I am honored to have been invited to present at the Wisconsin Organized Retail Crime Association (WIORCA) Annual Conference tomorrow alongside prosecutors, law enforcement professionals, retail investigators, and industry leaders from across Wisconsin and Illinois,” Solis told Kenosha County Eye.
“Organized retail crime is a challenge that affects businesses, employees, and consumers throughout our region. During my presentation, I will discuss Kenosha County’s approach to prosecuting organized retail theft, recent case studies, and the impact of Wisconsin’s new retail theft laws.”
Solis said collaboration among retailers, investigators, prosecutors, and police agencies is critical to addressing organized retail crime, which often involves coordinated theft crews that target multiple stores and jurisdictions.
“I appreciate WIORCA for bringing together experts from Wisconsin and Illinois to collaborate, share best practices, and strengthen our collective response to organized retail crime,” Solis said. “By working together across jurisdictions, we can better protect businesses, support victims, and hold offenders accountable.”
Organized retail crime differs from traditional shoplifting because it often involves coordinated groups stealing large quantities of merchandise for resale. Retailers and law enforcement agencies have increasingly reported sophisticated theft operations that cross city, county, and state lines.
Supporters of aggressive enforcement efforts argue that organized retail theft creates consequences that extend far beyond the stores being targeted. Theft losses can contribute to higher prices for consumers, increased security costs, reduced product availability, and, in some cases, store closures. Communities can also experience lost jobs, reduced investment, and decreased tax revenue when retailers struggle with persistent theft.
Law enforcement officials have also noted that organized retail crime investigations frequently uncover connections to other criminal activity, including fraud, identity theft, narcotics trafficking, and the resale of stolen goods through online marketplaces.
Under Solis’ leadership, the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office has placed significant emphasis on prosecuting organized retail theft cases and working with local law enforcement agencies to identify repeat offenders and theft rings operating in the area.
His invitation to speak at the statewide conference highlights Kenosha County’s growing role in discussions about organized retail crime enforcement and reflects the attention local prosecutors have received for their efforts to address the issue.
The conference will bring together retail crime investigators, prosecutors, police agencies, and loss-prevention professionals from throughout Wisconsin and Illinois to discuss trends, enforcement strategies, and recent changes in state law aimed at combating organized retail theft.
One Response
He has my support for this and I’m glad it’s getting attention.