Portsmouth ABC Store Transitions to Counter Service Following Brazen Alcohol Theft

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — In response to a series of high-volume retail thefts, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Authority has announced that a local Portsmouth store will be converted to a counter-service-only format.

The decision follows a highly publicized incident on January 11, 2024, where surveillance cameras captured a suspect entering the store and brazenly stuffing multiple bottles of high-end liquor into his pants and jacket. The individual walked past checkout counters without attempting to pay, leaving the store with a significant amount of unpaid inventory.

Under the new counter-service model, customers will no longer browse shelves directly. Instead, they will request items from a store associate behind a secure counter. This structural change is designed to enhance safety for employees, deter shoplifting, and reduce inventory shrinkage in high-theft areas.

Portsmouth Police are investigating the theft and seeking the suspect shown in the surveillance footage. Anyone who recognizes the individual or has information regarding the incident is asked to contact Portsmouth Police or submit a tip online.