Hochul proposes new enforcement unit to crack down on retail thefts

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Nalley de Jesus described an encounter in her family’s Bronx supermarket in 2021 when a suspect who wouldn’t take no for an answer. Workers and customers desperately scrambled for cover.

"A shoplifter went to our location. We escorted him out of the store four times," said de Jesus. "Five minutes later, he showed up to our store with a rifle."

The armed suspect eventually left the store and no one was hurt.

In another incident caught by PIX11’s cameras, store employees struggled with another shoplifter outside a pharmacy.

These and other similar scary incidents across New York City compelled de Jesus to push for more protections against retail theft.

"This time, we just got lucky. This is an entirely untenable situation for our stores and the community," said de Jesus.

De Jesus joined New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz Wednesday, as the governor announced the expansion of a multi-pronged approach to fighting retail theft. It includes:

• $25 million for a new statewide “smash and grab” enforcement unit to build cases against organized theft rings
• Expanding a “trespass affidavit” initiative, which allows for the arrest of someone who’s been repeatedly banned from a store.

"People deserve to be able to walk their streets, go to their shops, go to their stores safely, purchase their products, go back home without an incident. And our shop workers deserve to feel that they are protected once again," said Hochul.

Katz added, "I can tell you that crime is down. I can tell you that shootings are down. I can tell you that murders are down. But when you've just witnessed that in your local drug store, crime is at 100%"

Shoppers in the Bronx said they are anxious for increased safety.

"When I buy stuff, I look to see who's behind me. If there's no one there, I pay," said Julio Rosario.

Hochul is hoping the state legislature will help pass into law certain measures in her larger plan. The governor is also pushing for judges to increase their discretion in setting bail for suspects charged with shoplifting.