How ALTO Helped a Regional Retailer Turn Repeat Theft Into Accountability in Record Time

Overview

When a persistent shoplifter repeatedly targeted one of the nation’s leading supercenter chains in Richmond, Kentucky, store leaders felt frustrated and unsupported.
Within just 79 days of launching ALTO’s crime accountability program, that same location celebrated a courtroom sentencing, restitution, and renewed confidence in law enforcement collaboration – proof that accountability and prevention go hand in hand

Challenge: Persistent Theft and Limited Law Enforcement Engagement

Before partnering with ALTO, the store had monitored a repeat offender for nearly a year. He frequently stole electronics, phone accessories, and small appliances, often entering the store with other individuals.

Despite the ongoing losses, store leaders hesitated to file police reports, believing they might “bother” law enforcement or overextend local resources.
Over the prior year, the store had contacted police only two or three times, leaving theft incidents unresolved and morale low.

When ALTO launched its service, the team identified this repeat offender during their initial discovery visit, marking the store’s biggest safety concern and the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the impact of collaboration.

ALTO’s Approach: Bridging Retail and Law Enforcement

Entering a new county with no existing ALTO relationships, the team acted quickly to build trust between the supercenter chain, police, and prosecutors.

ALTO’s field and legal teams:

• Guided the store on proper incident reporting and evidence submission, helping them engage consistently with local police
• Enhanced collaboration between store teams, investigators, and prosecutors—leading to broader, more comprehensive charges that captured additional known offenses
• Maintained continuous engagement with stakeholders, completing 18 touchpoints from discovery through sentencing
• Attended the plea and sentencing hearing, visibly representing the retailer’s commitment to accountability and deterrence

Even as the offender continued to steal between the first report on June 29, 2025, and his arrest, ALTO’s coordinated response ensured that multiple additional offenses were captured and built into the case, making the prosecution more robust.

Outcome: Accountability Achieved in 79 Days

On September, 2025, the offender was sentenced to:

• 6 months in jail
• 2 years of probation, including a no-contact condition with the store
• Restitution of $532.81

The prosecutor publicly praised the retailer’s engagement and ALTO’s role in ensuring a swift and effective resolution.

When ALTO’s legal coordinator shared the news in person, store leaders expressed both surprise and gratitude:

“You are really selling us on ALTO! This is amazing! We’ve never gotten this far in an investigation before.”

Impact: Restoring Confidence and Strengthening Partnerships

This case became a turning point for the store’s culture of safety.
Through ALTO’s guidance, the team began proactively reporting incidents, strengthening ties with law enforcement, and regaining trust in the legal process.

What began as a pattern of repeat theft evolved into a lesson in prevention, partnership, and follow-through, showing that accountability can deter future crime and restore a sense of security in the workplace.

Key Insights for Retailers

• Consistent incident reporting and documentation are essential for prosecutorial success
• Early engagement with law enforcement builds trust and accelerates outcomes
• Visible courtroom representation reinforces a retailer’s zero-tolerance message
• Collaboration drives deterrence: data, communication, and accountability must align

Conclusion

This case illustrates how ALTO’s evidence-driven, partnership-based approach transforms isolated thefts into measurable safety outcomes.
By connecting retailers, police, and prosecutors, ALTO delivers what every retail operation needs: fewer repeat offenses, faster resolutions, and stronger community trust.