This investigator is not just responsible for one great investigation, but is recognized for their consistency in being resourceful, and in the quality and execution of their performance as a whole.  A partner and an innovator, this individual isn't afraid to get their hands dirty in picking up each stone to see what might be underneath, and is more than comfortable in seeking out the answer when a question should arise.  

To be eligible for nomination, the Investigator must currently be, or have been, in the role for which they are being nominated, for some or all of the calendar year of the nomination.  Individuals must be nominated by someone other than themselves. For the purpose of recognizing a specific investigation, please consider nominating in the Investigation of the Year category.  

To submit your nomination, click below to access the 2023 Nomination Form.  If you are unable to access the form due to corporate network security issues, please email TheHallMonitor@gmail.com  for additional support.

Your 2021-22 Finalists for Investigator of the Year are:   (In no particular order)

• Andrew “Andy” Dubiel, Field Investigator New England, Target Corp. – First Runner-Up!
• Craig Dowdle - Regional Investigations Manager - Lowes companies  -  Finalist
• Greg Dinneen, Investigations Manager, Retail Business Services  -  WINNER!

 
Andrew “Andy” Dubiel, Field Investigator New England, Target Corp.
Here’s what people are saying about Andy:  

• I have had the honor to work with Andy for over 5 years in ORC investigations in North Central MA.  In 2021, Andy helped lead a team comprised of ORC investigators and law enforcement in successfully closing down a brick-and-mortar fence and e-commerce fences.  Andy recently was nominated and appointed to serve on the board for NEORCA.  Over the years, Andy has led numerous successful investigations while establishing and fostering partnerships amongst retailers and LE all along.  Andy is always willing to step up and do the work, mentor others, teach and bring people to the table.

• Andy identified a video store that was operating as a fence, or location receiving and selling stolen merchandise. Online sales for the fence netted over $600,000.00 per year through two identified e-commerce accounts. Andy connected multiple retailers and Law Enforcement agencies by partnering with the New England Organized Retail Crime Alliance (NEORCA). Andy was designated the case Team Leader for Operation Block Busted by his peers and worked in conjunction with senior market investigators from CVS, Walgreens, Retail Business Services, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods and many other local and national retailers. Andy coordinated surveillance with, and by, law enforcement. Numerous controlled sales were successfully conducted of merchandise that was presented as stolen to the fence. Identified boosters who conducted thefts were also tracked to the fence and then the stolen merchandise was tracked directly to the e-Commerce accounts used by the fence.
• Under Andy’s guidance, NEORCA assisted the Leominster, Massachusetts Police and the Massachusetts State Police with identifying and dismantling an Organized Retail Crime enterprise that had been active for over 19 years. All of the identified boosters had documented incidents of drug use. NEORCA’s support directly assisted in the culmination of the 18-month investigation. Two search warrants and 28 identified boosters resulted in valuable intelligence for further case development. Seized assets in this case included 6,372 new-in-box retail items valued at $393,272.60; 1,298 gift cards and store credits totaling $25,242.59; four vehicles with a combined worth of $186,370.00; 27 firearms assessed at over $13,500.00 and two e-commerce accounts amounting to $1,275,966.48. Andy’s actions reflect very highly upon the Target Corporation, Organized Retail Crime Market Investigators and the New England Organized Retail Crime Alliance.

Craig Dowdle - Regional Investigations Manager - Lowes companies      
Here’s what people are saying about Craig:  
Craig is the epitome of a servant leader and devoted investigator. Craig supports 130+ locations through complex internal, external, and ORC investigations. Craig always makes it a priority to support his region, field team members, and locations. Along the way, Craig maintains his modest approach while delivering exemplary results (increase in ROI) and offering his expertise in the field.

Greg Dinneen, Investigations Manager, Retail Business Services              
Here’s what people are saying about Greg:  
Greg is an excellent investigator who never quits when faced with a challenge! In 2019 Greg launched an investigation into 2 brick mortar locations in Central Massachusetts known to be fencing stolen merchandise. Greg partnered with several other retail investigators conducting surveillance on the shops, identifying boosters and linking them to numerous thefts in the surrounding area. Greg and the other investigators tied the shops to 11 different eBay accounts which had over 17 million dollars in sales over the course of 2 years. Greg and his colleagues presented the case to local law enforcement, and they enlisted the IRS due to the complexity of the case. The Covid-19 pandemic slowed the development of the case which continued into 2021. On April 14th of 2021 law enforcement executed search warrants on the shops and homes of the owners. Law enforcement seized tens of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise and made numerous arrests. In February of 2022 the Pawn Shop owners were federally indicted for tax evasion, money laundering, interstate transportation of stolen goods, and other various federal offenses. 

Voting is currently closed.
Finalists will be announced in February 2023 and public voting will begin in March 2023.
Check back for more details once the finalists are selected and posted.