Manteca Councilman Mike Morowit knows firsthand how to prevent from being a repeat victim of organized theft.

It is why he is urging Manteca small business owners to take advantage of free grants up to $2,000 for security cameras and their installation from STAART (Stockton Takes Action Against Retail Theft). The program is funded by San Joaquin County using $1.3 million in federal COVID funds.

They will be used in conjunction with an app to send video of thieves to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s office in a bid to arrest and increase the successful prosecution of those involved in organized retail crime.

“We’re not talking about your typical shoplifters,” Morowit told those gathered Monday at noon for the unveiling of the first STAART billboard in Manteca at an OutFront Advertising location at Powers Avenue and Moffat Boulevard.

Morowit has owned Minor Mart Liquors on East Yosemite Avenue for 29 years.

A few years ago, he was the victim of a theft where the person involved was able to steal eight bottles of high end tequila valued at more than $650.

Morowit posted a photo taken from store surveillance cameras above his cash register

A number of months later, the thief returned.

When he entered the store, he noticed the photo of himself taken previously that was displayed above the cash register.

He turned around and left the building getting into a waiting car.

Morowit was able to supply a video and license plate number to Manteca  Police.

They used the information to track down the thief to Oakland.

He was part of an organized effort to steal liquor and resell it.

The man had customized pants where he was able to slip up to eight bottles into internal pickets as he tried to move around a store to avoid detection.

The fact Manteca Police had the video and other supporting information led to an arrest and successful prosecution.
Morowt believes the camera grant program coupled with the app will do the same thing for other businesses but arguably a lot easier thanks to the STAART effort.

Councilman Charlie Halford also spoke.

Halford served as 12 years as Manteca’s police chief.

He noted that people can help stop organized retail crime by not buying new products offered on online sites for half or less than what they normally sell in stores.

Essentially, Halford noted, if it looks like a steal it probably is.

Halford also noted Manteca was one of the first cities in California to assign a detective fulltime to deal with organized retail crime.

District Attorney Ron Freitas stressed that his office has directed resources to combat the damage Proposition 47 has caused in terms of retail theft.

Supervisor Robert Rickman of Tracy added that the county has a DA that is now prosecuting retail theft.

Rickman noted the board has gone on record supporting Proposition 36 on the Nov. 5 ballot that will “undo the damages” Proposition 47 has done.

By building upon existing initiatives aimed at combating retail theft in San Joaquin County, the STAART program takes a proactive approach to engage in activities and strategies aimed at mitigating crime effectively.

The Stockton chamber can be contacted at (209) 547-2770 or by emailing STAART@stocktonchamber.org

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabuletin.com