Day Two - 2008 NRF Loss Prevention Awards
Day two of the 2008 NRF Loss Prevention Convention started with some notable awards.
2008 NRF Law Enforcement Retail Partnership Award
NRF presented this year’s award to Detective Jim Ostojic with the Polk County, FL Sheriff’s Office and Special Agent Telly Sands with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
In June 2007, Detective Ostojic uncovered an organized retail crime group in central Florida he believed to be responsible for several thefts at local retailers. He presented the case to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida State Attorney’s Office. A task force was put together consisting of agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and detectives from local agencies, with Special Agent Telly Sands assigned as the lead investigator. Over the course of the next seven months, Detective Ostojic and Agent Sands identified 18 suspects involved in the crime ring.
On January 24, 2008, they arrested the 18 suspects, with five search warrants being served. All of the suspects were charged under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Through their investigation the task force determined the crime ring was responsible for the loss of up to $100 million to local retailers. This case scored national recognition and brought a renewed attention to the problem of organized retail crime.
NRF’s Law Enforcement Retail Partnership Award is given each year to individuals in the law enforcement industry who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to support the retail industry in its fight against retail fraud, organized retail crime and other major incidents that affect the retail industry
Loss Prevention Case of the Year
Publix SuperMarkets’ Loss Prevention Manager, Distribution, Ron Averette was awarded the 2008 Loss Prevention Case of the Year.
In June, 2007, Averette began amassing evidence that suggested a major organized retail crime group was operating in the central Florida area. Detective Jim Ostojic of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office contacted Ron to compare the details of a specific arrest with other arrests at Publix stores and they quickly linked the suspect to several other pending cases. With Detective Ostojic’s help, Averette approached Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent Telly Sands to present their findings. A task force was quickly established and over the next seven months, Averette worked hand in hand with law enforcement to uncover the crime ring. The sting operation uncovered the largest (in dollar losses) organized retail crime ring to date and has been a topic of conversation throughout the retail loss prevention community since the arrests were made in January 2008
New additions to the NRF’s Ring of Excellence were also announced. The Ring of Excellence is a premier recognition program for loss prevention professionals whose achievements and outstanding leadership have significantly shaped the industry. The new inductees are:
- Robert L. Barry
- James Bridges
- Shelley Connors
- Ben Guffey
- Robert H. Ralicki
- Joe Roessler
- Doughlas E. Wicklander
- Fred Wilson
- David Zulawski
Please publish email (or snail mail) address of ROI Inductees so that we may offer our congratulations.
Unfortunately we cannot publish a list of emails. We will be in touch off-line so you can offer your congratulations to the inductees. Thank you.
We are a London, UK based company and have this month opened our first US office in LA. We specialise in real time loss prevention and fraud detection for retailers.
I would welcome some information in exhibiting in next year’s show in LA.
Please could you send me have some details to Ken.phelan@sysrepublic.com tel 310-713-5792
regards
Ken Phelan
VP Sales & Marketing
Sysrepublic
When will photos of the Circle of Excellence Inductees be posted?
In early August you will be able to view the award photos online at: http://www.nrf.com/lp/lpawards/
Thank you.
I am a now retired Deputy Sheriff in Memphis, Tennessee. I created and started what I believe to be the leading loss prevention program in the nation. The program is called A.L.E.R.T. (Area Law Enforcement & Retailers Team). I’m sure the NRF is familiar with the program as I have spoken on many occasions with the board members. Even though I have recently retired, the program continues to astonishingly grow in membership and results. It amazes me that the NRF has never recognized this program that has become a National program with positive results throughout the United States. The program is offered at no expensive to Law Enforcement and Upper level Loss prevention personnel with all retailers. I hope any of your members that are unaware of this program will check out the website, that is provided and maintained by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in Memphis. The site address is http://WWW.USALERT.org.
Thank you.
Ret. Sgt. Steve Montgomery
Alertmemphis@aol.com