FBI Recognizes NRF Executives for Retail Crime Work

WASHINGTON — In recognition for their work in fighting organized retail crime, two National Retail Federation employees were recently awarded certificates from the FBI.

Angélica Rodriguez, NRF’s senior director of loss prevention, and Joseph LaRocca, NRF’s senior asset protection advisor, were each presented with the FBI’s Excellent Service in Public Interest award. The certificate recognizes their work with the Law Enforcement Retail Partnership Network (LERPnet) along with their strides to educate retailers and law enforcement officials about organized retail crime and other types of serious fraud within the retail industry.

“Asset protection is a core component of any retailer’s business, and solid relationships with law enforcement are crucial to that success,” said Rhett Asher, vice president of loss prevention, NRF. “The awards presented to Angelica and Joe are a testament to NRF’s dedication to the retail loss prevention community and the greater good of stopping criminals from abusing retailers.”

“Joe and Angélica have been leaders in the fight against Organized Retail Theft, and LERPnet’s success is a product of their vision and leadership,” said Chief David Johnson, Violent Crime Section, FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “This partnership between law enforcement and private industry makes our intelligence gathering and dissemination more efficient, and enables increased arrests, prosecutions and recoveries of stolen merchandise.”

LERPnet was launched in April 2007 in partnership with the FBI and other industry trade associations. The program brings local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and retailers together through its unique information-sharing and crime-tracking capability.

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