Business Owners in Hawaii Rethink Strategies Amidst a Bold Theft
Surveillance Footage Captures Daring Theft at Hawaii's Home Depot, Sparking Outrage among Community and Retailers
chandni
In a shocking incident captured on camera at the Iwilei branch of Home Depot, a brazen theft has left local residents and business owners furious.
Unfortunately, dealing with theft has become an everyday struggle for businesses in the area.
The Honolulu Police Department has initiated a second-degree theft case following the video evidence that shows two individuals leaving the store with carts filled with tools. At present, no arrests have been made, according to the Honolulu police.
"This is organized retail crime; they are not stealing to support their families," stated Tina Yamaki, President of Hawaii Retailers. "This is their profession. They come in and steal merchandise worth thousands of dollars."
Home Depot informed KHON2.com that they have security personnel trained to handle shoplifters, and other employees have been instructed not to confront suspected thieves due to safety concerns.
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Investigations highlighted that organized retail crime has become a multibillion-dollar industry, with many stolen goods ending up for sale online.
"It's not limited to mechanical devices; it includes electronics, clothing, jewelry, and we are witnessing numerous robberies," Yamaki added.
These frequent theft incidents have deeply angered local businesses, which face the brunt of such criminal activities regularly.
"These individuals have no sense of shame. They walk in and walk out with entire carts of products," expressed Shannan Okinishi, Director of Marketing and Business Services at City Mill. "It's essentially money walking out the door with thefts like these."
According to Honolulu police, there were over 2,300 reported cases of shoplifting in 2022, compared to 1,945 in 2021.
City Mill stated that these thefts continue to harm their business and necessitate price increases.
"Raising prices affects everyone, including us. Unfortunately, it drives up the overall cost of products," Okinishi added. "I wish I could say the situation has improved, but it remains a daily struggle for all eight of our locations."
In response to concerns about shoplifting, City Mill has replaced product displays with descriptive signs.
Under state law, thefts exceeding $750 in value are classified as grand theft. The Honolulu District Attorney's Office has decided to pursue repeat offenders, regardless of the stolen amount.
"If individuals commit three or more property violations of any value, we can charge them as habitual property violators," explained Honolulu District Attorney Steve Alm. "This offense is a Class C felony carrying a mandatory one-year jail sentence."
"We cannot allow ourselves to become like the major cities on the mainland," Okinishi emphasized. "We are Hawaii, and there is simply no place for that kind of behavior here."
