Bill > SB300

This bill creates a new criminal offense called "organized retail theft" in Arkansas, defining it as a coordinated effort by one or more persons to commit theft of consumer goods through various specific actions. These actions include physically stealing goods, organizing or directing theft operations, disabling security devices, illegally entering retail establishments after hours, using electronic devices to facilitate theft, or using rental or stolen vehicles during theft. To qualify as organized retail theft, the total value of stolen goods within 120 days must exceed $1,000, with the severity of the crime escalating based on the total value: it becomes a Class D felony for theft between $1,000-$5,000, a Class C felony for theft between $5,000-$25,000, and a Class B felony for theft over $25,000. The bill allows for aggregating theft instances across multiple judicial districts and provides that unaltered price tags, photographs, or shipping documents can serve as prima facie evidence of the goods' value and ownership. The legislation aims to address coordinated retail theft by establishing clear legal parameters and progressively serious criminal penalties.

Justice

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=sb300&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R