FBI, stores to launch database to fight crime

The FBI and the largest U.S. retail group are creating a computer database to track crime rings that steal as much as $37 billion in merchandise each year from department stores, restaurants and jewelers.

Sears Holdings Corp. and Federated Department Stores Inc. are among the retailers that will share information with the FBI. The data will be stored in a secure national database called the Law Enforcement Retail Partnership Network, the National Retail Federation said.