Liquor thefts straining law enforcement; Strained by liquor thefts, police want Virginia ABC to take over investigating crimes

The Roanoke Times

VIRGINIA BEACH - Shoplifting at ABC stores in Hampton Roads has been on the rise and the sheer number of investigations are straining police department resources, according to Virginia Beach Chief Paul Neudigate. 

He is working with city lawmakers to request a change to state law that would make Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority's Bureau of Law Enforcement the primary agency responsible for reporting and investigating liquor thefts. He recently discussed the issue with other city chiefs. and neighboring localities may join the legislative effort. 

Roughly 31,000 bottles of alcohol worth more than $1.6 million have been stolen from Virginia ABC stores so far this year, according to data provided by the authority from Jan. 1 through Oct. 16. In the Hampton Roads region, Norfolk has had the most thefts to date with 6,199 bottles of booze stolen at a total value of more than $233,000. 

"They are experiencing the same struggles we are," Neudigate said in an interview this week. "It's an ongoing issue that does not seem to have a resolution, and we are spending a lot of resources to address the recurring and ongoing thefts." 

Theft at Virginia Beach ABC stores accounted for 23% of all shopliftings in 2023 and '24 year-to-date, according to the city's legislative agenda document. In that city alone, 2,000 bottles have been stolen this year - a value of about $147,000, according to Virginia ABC. 

Virginia Beach and Chesapeake city councils included a proposed law enforcement code amendment in their 2025 draft legislative agendas - a wish list of legislative items they hope the General Assembly will take up in January. A vote to finalize Virginia Beach's agenda will be held Nov. 12. 

In Virginia Beach, the ABC store on Northampton Boulevard is the most notorious for thefts, Neudigate said. It accounted for 3%, or 136 thefts of the total thefts in the city last year. 

Chesapeake experienced an even bigger increase in ABC thefts in the past two years. ABC shoplifting rose by 90% from 2022 to '23, accounting for 43% of all shoplifting cases in 2023, according to Chesapeake's draft legislative agenda. About $75,000 worth of liquor, or 1,417 bottles, were stolen from ABC stores in Chesapeake so far this year, according to ABC data. 

"Despite crime reduction strategies provided to VABC, thefts continue to burden local law enforcement," the Chesapeake agenda states. "Granting VABC agents greater enforcement responsibility for these crimes will alleviate strain on local police resources and allow for more effective investigation and prevention of liquor thefts." 

Virginia ABC enforces state laws pertaining to the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages, and Virginia ABC special agents have full police powers. They can investigate license applicants and conduct underage sale compliance checks. They also investigate and prosecute criminal activities ranging from drugs, gangs and gambling, to money laundering and tax evasion, according to the bureau's website. 

In Virginia, shoplifting is a misdemeanor if the value of the stolen merchandise is less than $500 and is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. 

Portsmouth Police Chief Stephen Jenkins warned last year that stolen alcohol in that city ends up in restaurants or in non-authorized entertainment venues through networks across the region. 

Neudigate said he met with ABC officials last year to discuss ways to curb thefts, including hiring private security at its stores. 

But that option hasn't been implemented due to the high cost, Tom Kirby, Virginia ABC chief operations officer, said at an Aug. 22 board of directors meeting. 

The authority is working on ways to protect its employees and prevent theft, said Lori Murphy, director of retail, at the August meeting. High-dollar items have been moved behind the counter in a Norfolk store and two in Portsmouth were converted into counter stores, where customers ask a staff member to get their liquor. It has helped cut down on theft, Kirby said. 

However, sales have dropped at counter stores, and the authority is considering closing some of them, Chief Financial Officer David Alfano said at the board's Oct. 3 meeting. 

Portsmouth has had a significantly fewer thefts this year compared with most Hampton Roads cities with 756 bottles stolen. 

The worst theft problems at ABC stores have been by organized crime groups in Northern Virginia, Kirby said at the August meeting. Cognac is one of the popular products being stolen at those stores, and the authority is considering putting bottles in clear lock boxes on the shelves, Kirby said. 

"VA ABC continues to be a significant drain on our resources," said Neudigate. "If VA ABC law enforcement branch can take this on, we think it would be incredibly beneficial for Virginia Beach."