Repeat Shoplifter Walks Free Despite Over 250 Arrests

The city’s persistent shoplifting crisis is exemplified by Anthony White, a 63-year-old who has accumulated an astonishing 254 arrests for theft. Despite numerous busts, White continues to steal from stores, even those where he’s been previously banned.

Recently, White was caught in May attempting to steal from Rockefeller Plaza, where he took two shirts and hid them under his sweatshirt. He was arraigned on petty larceny charges but was released on supervised parole, with the court noting his extensive criminal record and ongoing parole for a 2023 burglary. His repeated offenses include theft from drugstores at various Midtown locations and attempts to steal personal care items, often despite bans from these businesses.

This high recidivism rate highlights the broader issue facing the city’s retail sector. Over 27,700 shoplifting incidents have been reported this year—an 89% increase from 2020—prompting stores to lock up their goods behind plastic barriers. Despite a 10% dip compared to last year, the surging numbers reveal a cycle of theft and release that frustrates law enforcement efforts.

Police sources say many repeat offenders, including Gethers with 235 arrests and Mack with 203, are often caught multiple times for similar crimes. Gethers, who has been arrested for resisting arrest, assaulting officers, and weapons possession, appears unconcerned about incarceration, openly stating he expects to be released repeatedly.

Similarly, Jacob Poole, who has 103 arrests, was accused of stealing chicken worth over $200 and threatening violence in April. Experts criticize the justice system’s failure to rehabilitate these individuals, noting that repeated releases foster a cycle of criminal behavior with little deterrent effect.

Many officials and officers question when enough will finally be enough, emphasizing that some offenders should face long-term lockups due to their repeated offenses and ongoing threat to public safety.