The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office successfully prosecuted 300 organized retail crime cases last year, MCAO statistics show.

The 2024 figure tops the 297 successful prosecutions set in 2019, according to a county release.

“In recent years, ORC has cost retailers billions. The impact of ORC trickles down from retailers to the consumer, resulting in higher prices, limited inventory and eventually store closures,” the release stated.

“Worse still, ORC contributes to other criminal activity in our communities, such as drug and human trafficking and money laundering.”

In addition to the record prosecution number, law enforcement submitted 891 organized retail crime case to MCAO in 2024, a 45% increase from 616 in 2023.

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell conducted four MCAO Business Forums last year, bringing retailers together to listen to and address their concerns. The sessions included representatives from retailers, prosecutors and law enforcement who discussed crime trends, employee safety, and building partnerships to combat retail crime.

For more: MCAO Safe Shopping.