Penalties for organized retail theft – stealing as part of a theft ring – would be tougher, under legislation backed by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Bondi lent her support Thursday to bills (HB 1173, SB 1404) by Rep. Ross Spano, R-Dover and Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, that would make someone guilty of organized theft over $50,000 face a sentence of 21 months in prison.
“Organized retail crime is a highly sophisticated operation that involves the large-scale theft of everyday consumer items by professional shoplifters,” Bondi said in a statement. “The legislation will give law enforcement and prosecutors the tools needed to arrest and prosecute these individuals, so consumers don’t have to bear the financial brunt of this illegal activity.”
