An electronic article surveillance (EAS) system and method of operating the system, including one or more processors and memory. The memory contains instructions to cause the processors to receive data from a first sensor indicating the presence of an electronic surveillance tag within a first predetermined space, receive data from a second sensor including tracking information that indicates a distance of the second sensor from a person in possession of the electronic surveillance tag within a second predetermined space, determine a speed and/or direction of movement of the person based on the data from the second sensor, and detect a theft event and execute an alarm routine based on the presence of the electronic surveillance tag within the first predetermined space and the speed and/or direction of movement of the person within the second predetermined space.