Aurora police is looking for a group of men who have stolen nearly $12,000 worth of jeans from a Colorado Kohl’s store.
In the past month, there have been four instances where suspects entered the Kohl’s store located on Ironton Street. On each occasion, these individuals swiftly grabbed numerous pairs of jeans and left without making any payment. According to the APD, these suspects have successfully committed theft from the store a total of six times.
Officer Kyle Stai observed, “The suspects enter the establishment and swiftly fill their duffel bags or wagons with numerous pairs of jeans before casually leaving. This process barely takes them 45 seconds each time. It’s baffling how they repeatedly target the same location without any fear of being apprehended. That’s what makes it even more exasperating.”
Surveillance video captured the men stealing and leaving the store. APD says the gray Honda CRV they were seen driving off in has stolen plates.
Stai suggested that the jeans might be sold somewhere, possibly on platforms like Facebook marketplace or Craigslist. They have been exploring those options but haven’t come across any notable leads yet. Stai also speculated that they could be supplying the jeans to someone else who is selling them, making it more challenging to track them down.
Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Ross located in the Havana Business Improvement District have consistently been targeted as prime locations for retail theft, making them some of the largest targets in the nation.
Dustin Zvonek, who serves as both a councilman and a business owner, expresses his frustration.
Zvonek emphasized the significance of retail businesses in the city, stating, “Our revenue heavily relies on sales tax, accounting for almost 66% of our total earnings. Hence, it is crucial to retain retail establishments within our borders. However, it is disheartening to witness retailers, whether they are large retail chains or small family-owned stores, being compelled to relocate due to the rise in retail theft incidents.”
Customers across the country are feeling the effects of petty shoplifting turning into organized sprees, as they face price increases and the closure of stores.
The Colorado Organized Retail Theft Alliance is dedicated to addressing the issue throughout the state. In the previous year, the Aurora City Council passed a resolution enforcing a minimum jail term of three days for individuals found guilty of shoplifting goods valued at $300 or higher.
Zvonek stated that the efforts made so far have proven to be successful in deterring crime and even resulted in the prosecution of some individuals under the new law. However, to truly tackle the issue at hand, Zvonek believes it is essential for our state lawmakers to take decisive measures and provide greater support in combating various crimes like retail theft, motor vehicle theft, and others that are becoming prevalent in our state.
The store has been given the opportunity by APD to hire off-duty officers for extra security. Although property crimes are not the top concern for the police, APD is committed to putting an end to the ongoing stealing spree.
Stai expressed that it is simply property and not worth anyone getting injured for. There is a possibility that these individuals might pose a threat as they could be armed, but we cannot be certain.
According to the APD, if you come across this kind of theft, avoid getting involved. Instead, make an effort to remember as many details as possible and contact the police.
Please contact Aurora PD at 303-739-1840 if you possess any information regarding these individuals.
