BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland recorded the seventh-steepest percentage rise in shoplifting incidents nationwide between 2023 and 2024, according to a new study that highlights a growing concern over retail crime in the state.
The research, conducted by Las Vegas-based firm Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers using FBI Crime Data, found that reported shoplifting cases in Maryland jumped by 25.55%. The number of incidents rose from 25,329 in 2023 to 31,801 in 2024, placing Maryland in the top 10 U.S. states with the largest increases.
Analysis and Context
The spike in Maryland’s shoplifting figures comes amid broader national challenges related to retail theft, including organized crime and economic pressures. The state’s increase is significant, contrasting with a general downward trend in other violent and property crimes reported nationally in some data sets for the same period.
“The data reveals troubling spikes in shoplifting across multiple U.S. states, particularly in Maryland,” said a spokesperson from Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers. “These sharp rises may point to broader challenges around retail crime, economic pressures, and enforcement resources.”
Recent legislative efforts in Maryland have attempted to address the growing issue. In late 2024 and early 2025, the state passed laws to crack down on organized retail crime (ORC). This legislation was intended to close legal loopholes, such as allowing prosecutors to aggregate the value of stolen goods across multiple jurisdictions to pursue felony charges—a strategy long employed by retail theft rings.
Experts have suggested that the rise in reported incidents could be due to a combination of factors:
- Economic Strain potentially pushing more individuals to steal.
- Organized Gangs targeting high-demand, easily resellable items.
- Improved Reporting by retailers, who may be more diligent in notifying law enforcement about thefts.
Recommended Mitigation
The law firm spokesperson advocated for increased investment in crime prevention technologies to curb the trend. “Investing in preventive measures like high-definition CCTV surveillance and RFID security systems can significantly reduce theft, deter potential offenders, and protect both businesses and consumers,” the spokesperson commented.
Retailers across the state have already increased security measures, with some locking up merchandise and investing in private security, as they face millions of dollars in losses from thefts. The collective efforts of law enforcement, retailers, and legislators are now focused on effectively implementing the new ORC laws to reverse the upward trend in shoplifting incidents.
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels
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