A 57-year-old man, Carl Torrence, known for his extensive history as a career thief, is once again in the spotlight for allegedly stealing mere hours after being released on bond. Despite being convicted 11 times on various felony theft charges, he has managed to avoid serving any time in prison.
Torrence’s criminal activity has escalated since 2018, with 21 felony theft charges filed against him since 2021, of which 11 resulted in convictions. Notably, he accumulated nine of these charges just last year.
Andy Kahan of Crime Stoppers commented on Torrence’s situation, stating, “In order to rack up that many charges, you have to be free to do that. He’s getting convicted of felony theft, but he’s not doing much time in the county jail. He’s never spent one day in prison.”
Recent court documents reveal that Torrence was linked to an organized theft ring. Following a sentencing of just nine days in jail on July 13, he was charged with organized retail theft just two days after his release.
According to Kahan, “He’s going into Bath and Body Works stores, filling up their shopping bags, and walks out with a thousand dollars in merchandise.” Notably, he returned to the same location just two days later to repeat his actions, prompting staff to recognize him by sight.
On September 5, just hours after posting a $25,000 bond, Torrence allegedly stole three pairs of Nike tennis shoes from Famous Footwear. Eyewitnesses reported that as he exited the store, he audaciously told an employee, “Just grabbing my usual,” before walking out.
Statistics from Crime Stoppers indicate that over 100 defendants faced charges for five or more felonies in 2025, more than doubling the figures from the previous year. This alarming trend has sparked discussions among lawmakers about the need for legislative changes regarding continuous felony theft. Proposed modifications may classify multiple felony theft charges within a single year as a third-degree felony, carrying a maximum sentence of 2 to 10 years in prison.
