FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 17, 2023 



Contact: Cailey Locklair

317-397-1918

[Ocean City, Maryland] – Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown took center stage as the distinguished moderator of a thought-provoking panel on organized retail crime during the annual Maryland Association of Counties Conference (“MACO”). For decades, MACO has served as a platform for meaningful discussions and the exchange of ideas among policymakers, government officials and employees, legal professionals, and industry leaders. The panel moderated by Attorney General Anthony Brown was a highlight of this year's conference, sparking crucial conversations about the nexus between organized retail crime and other serious forms of criminal activities.

The panel, held at the Ocean City Convention Center on August 17, 2023, provided a platform for insightful discussions on the intricate connections between organized retail crime, more serious criminal activities, increasing costs for consumers, lost sales tax revenue, resource strains and health and safety concerns. During the panel discussion, Attorney General Brown highlighted a growing focus on organized retail crime and its far-reaching implications. The Attorney General noted that his recently- expanded Organized Crime Unit has seen increasing links between organized crime schemes and retail theft. Attorney General Brown's remarks shed light on the importance of recognizing the broader impact of these crimes on the safety and well-being of local communities.

"When our organized crime unit investigates violent offenders, gang activity, burglaries, and other forms of serious criminal activity, we are increasingly finding ties to organized retail crime," stated Attorney General Brown. "This underscores the need for legislation, collaboration and a comprehensive approach in addressing these issues to ensure the safety and security of our neighborhoods."

The panel featured distinguished experts who brought their unique perspectives to the discussion:

1. Frederick County State's Attorney Charles Smith: Smith shared valuable insights into the legal aspects of prosecuting organized retail crime and its connections to other criminal activities. His experience in criminal justice

provided a comprehensive view of the challenges faced by prosecutors in

combating these interconnected crimes.

2. Gerry D'Angelo, Corporate Investigator for The Home Depot: D'Angelo

provided a corporate perspective on the issue, offering real-world examples of how organized retail crime impacts businesses and the measures that companies like The Home Depot are taking to prevent and address such crimes.

3. Detective Matt Vendemio, Montgomery County Police: Vendemio discussed the professional theft that local police departments are seeing in and around the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area often involving international groups and the resource issues facing law enforcement.

The panelists engaged in a lively and informative conversation, delving into the tactics employed by organized retail crime rings, the role of technology in both perpetrating and combating these crimes, and the collaborative efforts required to effectively address this multifaceted challenge.

For more information about the Maryland Association of Counties Conference and its impactful discussions, please visit www.mdcounties.org/1410/Summer-2023

Maryland Retailers Association (www.mdra.org) is The Voice for Retail in Maryland. As the retail community’s major trade association, MRA is a diverse and broad-based organization covering all segments of the retail industry. Operating under the belief that merchants can achieve more as a group than any one business owner acting alone, MRA is dedicated solely to the interests of the retail community. Whether it be advocating before elected officials or speaking to the media, MRA is the voice of retail in Maryland.

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