Great Lakes Wire

Eric Tanner, a Lansing resident, has been charged with multiple counts of organized retail crime and conducting a criminal enterprise. The charges were announced by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel following Tanner's arraignment in Eaton County's 56A District Court.

Tanner is accused of orchestrating a retail crime ring that targeted home improvement stores in the Lansing area. According to allegations, he recruited individuals with drug dependencies to steal merchandise from various stores, including Home Depot locations in Lansing, Jackson, and Okemos, as well as Lowe’s and Kroger in Lansing. The stolen items were then sold on Facebook Marketplace. The thefts reportedly occurred between May 2023 and January 2024, focusing mainly on power tools and vacuums.

"Our FORCE Team is doing incredible work alongside our retail partners to disrupt criminal operations all across the State," said Nessel. "We often see the characteristics evident in this case—multiple theft perpetrators, brazen daytime thefts, turning merchandise over to a single operator who then sells the loot for profit. The FORCE Team and Organized Retail Crime Unit continue stamping out these networks and I’m proud of their efforts."

Tanner's next court appearance is scheduled for April 8th for a probable cause conference.

The FORCE Team and the Organized Retail Crime Unit were initiated by the Attorney General's office in January 2023 to combat retail crime rings. These units include two full-time assistant attorneys general who collaborate with special agents from the Department of Attorney General and Michigan State Police detectives for investigation and prosecution purposes. In September, they partnered with the FBI’s Detroit Fraud and Financial Crimes Task Force to enhance state efforts against organized retail crime.

The FORCE Team works closely with retailers and local law enforcement agencies on investigations. Recent collaborations have involved companies such as Sam’s Club/Walmart, Meijer, Target, Home Depot, TJ Maxx, Rite-Aid, Lululemon, Ulta, and Lowe’s.