On some of the busiest shopping days of the year, plainclothes officers were already moving quietly through Target and Walmart in Gastonia, North Carolina, blending into the crowds as they watched for theft. Over a 22‑day span, that surveillance operation led to 78 arrests, 154 criminal charges, and the recovery or prevention of $4,342.85 in stolen merchandise. One of the largest single attempts involved roughly $735 in goods after thieves tampered with anti-theft devices. Local officials say the initiative, dubbed “Operation Naughty List,” offers a small but telling snapshot of a broader national surge in retail crime and rising tensions inside American stores.
Holiday Theft, Shrink, and Consumer Prices
The December enforcement blitz focused on repeat offenders and individuals wanted for other crimes, including drug possession and outstanding warrants. Officers worked alongside store loss-prevention teams, stepping in as suspects tried to leave with unpaid items, often electronics, toys, and other high-demand holiday products.
While the dollar value recovered in Gastonia is modest, retailers and law enforcement point to a much larger economic impact. National retail “shrink” — a term that covers theft, fraud, and inventory errors — reached an estimated $112.1 billion in losses in 2022, or about 1.6% of total sales. Businesses commonly factor those losses into operating costs, which can put upward pressure on shelf prices. Local officials present the Gastonia crackdown as part of efforts to curb that long-term trend, arguing that even small, repeated thefts accumulate into substantial financial strain for stores.
Gastonia authorities say they intend to keep pressure on theft hot spots beyond the holiday season, using tactics refined during Operation Naughty List.
Big-Box Partnerships and the Technology Shift
A central feature of the Gastonia effort was direct cooperation between police and corporate security teams at Target and Walmart. Undercover officers stationed inside both chains coordinated with in-store loss-prevention workers to monitor aisles, track suspicious behavior, and intervene once suspected thieves crossed the exit line. That kind of joint operation is becoming more common as national retailers report increases in both theft and confrontations.
Industry surveys show that by 2024, about three-quarters of retailers said they were seeing more aggressive behavior from shoplifters, and more than nine in ten reported a broader rise in aggression compared with pre‑pandemic levels. In response, large chains have expanded the use of locked display cases, visible security staff, and surveillance systems. Target and Walmart are also rolling out more advanced tools, including cameras supported by artificial intelligence and automated tracking technologies designed to spot unusual movements or repeated suspicious activity.
These systems can help reduce losses but often change the feel of a store visit. Locked shelves, extra verification steps, and longer waits for assistance have become more common, feeding concerns that the measures deter not only theft but also legitimate shoppers.
Organized Retail Crime and Drug Connections
Although Gastonia’s December arrests primarily targeted individual and repeat shoplifters, investigators also uncovered evidence that some suspects were tied to broader criminal activity. During the operation, officers seized fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana, illustrating how theft cases can intersect with drug trafficking and other offenses.
Nationally, retailers report that a growing share of theft is carried out by organized networks that systematically target multiple locations and then move stolen goods through resale markets. In recent industry reporting, about two-thirds of large retailers said organized groups were active across multiple states, and more than half noted an increase in coordinated theft over the past year. These operations can exploit gaps between local jurisdictions, making investigations more complex and resource-intensive.
While Operation Naughty List did not claim to dismantle a major organized theft ring, officials say the drug-related arrests and trespassing cases underscore how shoplifting can be one element in a web of offenses that affect neighborhoods beyond store parking lots. Retail crime, they argue, is both a public-safety concern and an economic one, felt by large chains and small stores alike.
Protecting Staff and Rethinking Responses
The Gastonia operation placed undercover officers side by side with store security workers, who around the country are confronting increased risks on the job. Industry data show a 17% rise in violent incidents against employees between 2023 and 2024, and loss-prevention staff have reported more frequent threats and assaults when they try to stop suspected thieves. That trend has contributed to a sharp increase in demand for private security and retail-focused protection services in recent years.
At the same time, the intensity of enforcement has fueled debate over how communities should respond to persistent shoplifting. Some policymakers and advocates argue that focusing heavily on arrests does not address underlying drivers such as addiction, mental health issues, and economic hardship. They call for more investment in social services and prevention programs alongside police work. Others, including many business groups, emphasize immediate enforcement and tougher penalties, citing the impact on employees, customers, and local tax bases.
For Gastonia, Operation Naughty List is likely to serve as a template for future initiatives, particularly as retailers continue investing in security and refining their collaboration with law enforcement. With national surveys pointing to ongoing concerns about organized theft, workplace violence, and rising shrink, communities across the country are weighing how to protect businesses and workers while also considering longer-term strategies that reach beyond store walls.
Sources:
“Undercover ‘Operation Naughty List’ Leads to 78 Arrests in North Carolina.” People Magazine, 1 Jan 2026.
“The Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2024.” National Retail Federation, 16 Dec 2024.
“National Retail Security Survey 2023.” National Retail Federation, Sept 2023.
“The Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2025.” National Retail Federation, Oct 2025.