Group of crimefighters using VR, help from former crooks to cut down shoplifting and last updated 2021-01-13 16:14:40-05 ACE Hardware in downtown Denver is having a hard time with shoplifting. âItâs just a huge spike in theft when the sun goes down,â employee Cole Howard said. Howard says thereâs been a major increase in theft since the start of the pandemic. There's been so much stealing that staff has added more security devices to protect their products. âThe displays are always chained up, as well as the caged-up ones below the display,â Howard said while pointing out some power tools.