Attorney General Griffin Announces Series of Organized Retail Crime Arrests Resulting from Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force Cooperation
Sep 13, 2024
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued a statement announcing several arrests in central Arkansas due to coordinated operations between his office, local and federal law enforcement agencies, and private-industry partners.
“Over the past month, coordinated ‘blitzes’ have resulted in 17 arrests in North Little Rock, Little Rock, and Conway of individuals involved in organized retail crime activities. These operations have also recovered stolen property. This is in addition to the multistate operation based in Blytheville my office supported earlier this year that resulted in nine arrests,” said Griffin.
“I congratulate and thank special agents in my Special Investigations Division who have held regular meetings with law enforcement and private businesses to coordinate activities, share intelligence, and collaborate on strategies to fight this kind of crime. Organized retail crime requires an organized response, and I am proud to lead that effort in Arkansas," he added.
“With the addition of a new, dedicated organized retail crime investigator in my Special Investigations Division, I look forward to more activity coordinated by my office to fight these crimes that cost American businesses $70 billion per year and result in a tax on consumers through higher prices for goods.”
The recent blitz was coordinated by the Office of the Attorney General and involved collaboration between the North Little Rock, Little Rock, and Conway police departments; Homeland Security Investigations; and 11 private-industry partners. The blitz operations occurred one day in each city: starting in North Little Rock on August 15, moving to Little Rock on August 22, and wrapping up on September 12 in Conway.
During the operations, local, state, and federal law enforcement partnered with area retail stores to target thefts and develop information related to organized retail crime. Of the 17 people arrested, eight were charged with felonies. Among the recovered stolen items was a vehicle that was returned to its owner.
Griffin announced the state’s involvement with the Louisiana-Arkansas-Mississippi-Alabama Organized Retail Crime Alliance (LAMA ORCA) in July 2023. Since its formation, ORC Task Forces have been established in Little Rock as well as Baton Rouge and New Orleans. LAMA ORCA has partnered with local, state, and federal agencies to conduct eight blitzes throughout four states.
About Attorney General Tim Griffin:
Tim Griffin was sworn in as the 57th Attorney General of Arkansas on January 10, 2023. He previously served as Lieutenant Governor from 2015-2023. From 2011-2015 he represented Arkansas’s Second Congressional District where he served on multiple House committees including Ways and Means; Armed Services; Foreign Affairs; Ethics; Judiciary; while also serving as a Deputy Whip for the Majority.
Griffin has served as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps for over 28 years currently holding the rank of colonel. In his military career he has served at Fort Campbell with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) among other assignments including Commander roles at various Legal Operations Detachments.
He holds a master’s degree from U.S. Army War College where he graduated as Distinguished Honor Graduate. His legal career includes roles such as U.S. Attorney for Eastern District of Arkansas; Special Assistant roles under President George W. Bush's administration among others within Department of Justice.
Griffin is admitted to practice law both actively in Arkansas and inactive status Louisiana living currently with his family residing Little Rock.