The booze bandits are out in full force, and they’ve got Virginia ABC stores in their sights. In the first six months of this year, a jaw-dropping $800,000 worth of alcohol has vanished from the shelves, marking a hefty 50% uptick compared to last year’s heists. This wave of thefts could soon make your favorite spirits as elusive as a good parking spot around downtown around VCU.
The Buzz
Why should you care? Because this isn’t just a hit to the state’s liquor stores— the surge in thefts means higher costs for security, which will likely trickle down to us, the loyal customers. And let’s not even start on the possibility of empty shelves.
The Bigger Picture
Shoplifting at these state-run stores has been sneaking up for two years now, according to WRIC’s eye-opening report. The stats paint a grim picture, with thefts escalating in both frequency and audacity.
Richmond, in particular, is feeling the squeeze. Theft from ABC stores, already a major player in the city’s crime scene in 2023, now makes up a whopping 51% of all shoplifting cases in the first half of this year.
The Hotspots
According to Axios, these thefts aren’t randomly spread out—they’re laser-focused on specific stores. In Richmond, two hotspots stand out: 1217 W. Broad St. by VCU and 2525 E. Main St. in Shockoe Bottom, racking up 165 of the 477 reported shoplifting incidents.
Norfolk and Manassas are also getting hammered. One Norfolk store got hit 115 times, while a Manassas spot lost 228 bottles in a single swipe. And just last month, the cops busted a Northern Virginia ring linked to 26 ABC store heists, with a haul worth over $145,000.
The Swag
An Axios deep dive into the 14,326 bottles stolen this year shows these thieves have expensive taste. The crown jewel? A $39.99 bottle of Hennessy VS, with 1,377 bottles nabbed. Tequila is the top choice overall, with 3,971 bottles stolen across 132 brands.
Clearly, our local thieves have a penchant for the good stuff, but it being Richmond, we have to ask how many bottles of Jameson and Jack Daniel’s were stolen? Still waiting on an answer for that one.
The Response
Virginia ABC isn’t taking this lying down. They’re beefing up security with better cameras and more frequent inventory checks. Some of the most targeted stores, including two in Portsmouth and the VCU location, have switched to counter service. Now, all the liquor is stashed safely behind the counter, and you’ll need to ask a staffer to fetch your booze.
