STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) -- The Stafford County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) announced a new joint task force that will target retail theft.

SCSO said on Wednesday that it is partnering with the Stafford County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office to launch the joint task force, which will focus on combating retail theft and organized retail crime.

Retail theft has shifted from isolating shoplifting incidents to "highly organized groups" who strategically target stores, even going out of state to do so, according to SCSO.

"These crimes undermine public safety, harm local economies, and drain valuable law enforcement and court resources," SCSO said in a news release announcing the joint task force.

The joint task force will work together to identify the suspects, share intelligence and

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