Organized retail crime is escalating across the United States, prompting law enforcement and retailers to seek collaborative solutions. In Texas, a task force is focusing on increased resources to better prosecute shoplifters, as organized crime groups target high-value items for resale, significantly affecting availability and costs. Recent investigations by Carrollton police uncovered two major theft rings, involving losses exceeding $200,000 from Lowe's and Walmart stores across multiple Southeastern states. In Gaston County, North Carolina, a coordinated effort dubbed 'Operation Fed Up' aims to combat these crime rings, which have resulted in substantial financial losses for retailers and increased prices for consumers. Authorities report that offenders have grown more violent, prompting enhanced security measures in stores. The collective approach among various jurisdictions aims to classify these thefts as organized crimes, leading to stiffer penalties for those involved.