The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has launched a new regional task force to combat organized retail theft and fraud across central Ohio.
The Fraud & Organized Retail Crime Engagement task force, or F.O.R.C.E., was established under the Ohio Attorney General’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission and is led by the sheriff’s office. The task force was created to fulfill the requirements of House Bill 366, known as the FORCE Act, which targets organized criminal networks involved in retail theft and fraud.
Participating agencies include the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton Township Police Department, Grandview Heights Division of Police, Westerville Police Department, Homeland Security and the Columbus Division of Police. Prosecutors in Franklin and Delaware counties are also partnering with the effort.
Sheriff Dallas Baldwin said the task force will strengthen investigations into criminal networks that affect businesses, employees and consumers. Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said the partnership will help dismantle organized theft rings and hold offenders accountable.
Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla Favor said the task force will provide additional resources to investigate and prosecute organized retail crime operating at malls and commercial centers throughout the county.
