In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Organized retail theft” means the commission, either alone or in concert with one or more other persons, of a series of thefts of retail merchandise from one or more retail merchants over a 90–day period with the intent to: permanently deprive the merchant of the merchandise; return the merchandise to the merchant for monetary or other gain; or resell, trade, or barter the merchandise for monetary or other gain. “Value” has the meaning stated in § 7–103 of this subtitle. “Value” includes the market value of any property damaged in furtherance of the crime and any costs to repair, replace, or restock any damaged or stolen property. A person may not commit organized retail theft of property with an aggregate value exceeding $1,500. A person who violates subsection (b) of this section with a value of: at least $1,500 but less than $25,000 is guilty of a felony and: is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both; and shall restore the property taken to the owner or pay the owner the value of the property or services; at least $25,000 but less than $100,000 is guilty of a felony and: is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $15,000 or both; and shall restore the property taken to the owner or pay the owner the value of the property or services; or $100,000 or more is guilty of a felony and: is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both; and shall restore the property taken to the owner or pay the owner the value of the property or services. This section does not preclude prosecution for theft under § 7–104 of this subtitle. If a person is convicted under § 7–104 of this subtitle and this section for the same acts or transactions, the conviction under this section shall merge for sentencing purposes into the conviction under § 7–104 of this subtitle. If a defendant is convicted of or receives a probation before judgment disposition for theft under § 7–104 of this subtitle, burglary under § 6–203 or § 6–205 of this article, robbery under § 3–402 or § 3–403 of this article, or use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence or a felony under § 4–204 of this article, on request of the State’s Attorney the court shall make a finding of fact based on evidence produced at trial as to whether the crime is organized retail theft. The State has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the crime is organized retail theft. If the court finds that the crime is organized retail theft under paragraph (1) of this subsection, that finding shall become part of the court record for purposes of reporting to the Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository under § 10–215 of the Criminal Procedure Article.