Alleged Phoenix retail crime spree culprit indicted

(The Center Square) – A man who allegedly robbed $37,000 in goods from various retail stores in Phoenix is now facing 44 counts of organized retail theft.

From November of last year all the way until last month, Hector Manuel Romero allegedly stole from Target, Lowe's, Home Depot and Ulta on 44 separate occasions.

"Organized Retail Theft is one of my top issues as County Attorney. These crimes impact our small businesses and I will continue holding these thieves accountable. Proud of this indictment today and appreciate the economic impact these small businesses have on our community," County Attorney Rachel Mitchell tweeted on Tuesday.

Organized retail theft counts are class four felonies, which carries prison time if convicted as a class four felony. Romero also faced two shoplifting counts, which are misdemeanors.

According to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office website , there have been 663 organized retail theft bookings as of Sept. 30, and it is an increase from 2022 and 2023, which had 513 and 616 bookings, respectively. However, over the last six years, 2019 had the highest figure with 758 bookings for the charges. One of reason the office dubs the crime "concerning" is that it not only poses a public safety risk, it could also lead to higher prices in the longer term.

MCAO asks people not to approach somebody in public if you see them in the act of organized retail theft and to inform law enforcement. Numerous other cases with similar charges, including those involving groups of people stealing merchandise, have been in the pipeline at the prosecutor's office.