ATTORNEY GENERAL KWAME RAOUL IS ANNOUNCING A NEW TASK FORCE TO FIGHT ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME.

RETAIL THEFT IS BECOMING MORE OF A COORDINATED EFFORT, NOT JUST AN INDIVIDUAL RUNNING OFF WITH A FEW ITEMS FOR THEMSELVES SAYS ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL.

HOME DEPOT INVESTIGATOR KYLE PENOYER SAYS THE INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN INCREASING, AND WELL COORDINATED.

THE TASK FORCE WILL WORK TO COORDINATE EFFORTS TO STOP MASS RETAIL THEFT, RELYING ON THE EXPERTISE OF INVESTIGATORS, STATE'S ATTORNEYS, ONLINE MARKETPLACES AND RETAILERS LIKE C-V-S AND LOWES. RAOUL SAYS THIS IS IMPORTANT SINCE THESE ORGANIZED CRIME RINGS ARE ALSO OFTEN INVOLVED IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING, DRUGS AND OTHER ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES.