You Just Witnessed A Person Shoplifting

Damaged Goods said:
I think that some companies fear lawsuits if the employee tackles an innocent person, or even a guilty person and the guilty person is seriously hurt. I mean, even the cops are being ripped today if a sleaze bag is hurt. "DEFUND THE POLICE" is the cry of the land today.
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Tackling a shoplifter is grounds for assault, period.
 

ohioboy said:
That's one of a handful of misdemeanor's (value wise of course) that an officer can arrest without a warrant, relaxing the "in presence" requirement, but it has to be within a reasonable time after it was committed.
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Here in PA, if the amount of goods stolen exceeds $2000, it would be a felony charge. Either way, if it's a misdemeanor or a felony, there could be jail time involved.
 
I’d mind my own business. I’m not there to be some type of shopping thief hero.

I had a friend who use to shoplift ALL the time when I was younger. She got a job as a convenient shop cashier at a very young age but got fired for stealing.

Later on in life, when she got older she’d steal things from buffets and stuff in front of her kids. What a message to send.
 
Usually a shoplifter has to leave the store with the item or items taken and I am not following a shoplifter around. CCTVs should take care of the situation. It's out of hand presently in San Francisco.
 
Lewkat said:
Usually a shoplifter has to leave the store with the item or items taken and I am not following a shoplifter around. CCTVs should take care of the situation. It's out of hand presently in San Francisco.
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That is true if the item is visible. If hidden on the person on the premises, concealment proves intent. Many states have ingrained in their statutory or common law, concealment provisions.
 
Many stores like Walmart have a policy of not bothering with any item that costs less than a certain amount.

It's not worth it to them in terms of potential legal costs and possible lawsuits.

Plus, there is some requirement that not only does the customer have to be seen concealing the item, there must be uninterrupted video of them carrying it out of the store because of the possibility that if they walk behind something that obstructs the camera's view, they could have put the item back on a shelf etc.

If someone is caught with a small item, rather than prosecute, they just trespass the offender.
 
Jim W. said:
It's not worth it to them in terms of potential legal costs and possible lawsuits.

If someone is caught with a small item, rather than prosecute, they just trespass the offender.
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And or send them a Civil demand letter if that state's law permits it, Ohio's does.
 
One good way to get more crime in your area is to not report it. Personally, I'd report, but not confront, the crime - even shoplifting. If I witnessed a crime, I'd also stand up and say so in court if needed.
 
At Wally's a few days ago and saw a young lady, well dressed, and certainly well feed, open up two preweighed, pre packaged containers of strawberries, take 4 or 5 or ? out of one package, and put it another, and of course put that one in her cart. She made no attempt to hide what she was doing, and managed to cheat another shopper out of a few berries. I guess that counts as a "win" in some circles.....
 
I remember once at WINCO Foods a woman in front of me at check out had a large case of soda at that bottom shelf of the cart. She had her reusable bags placed in the cart kind of hiding them. I could tell. It also wasn't like she had another case on the grocery belt and would have stated she had two cases total. I have done this with cat litter when I buy more than one. I just put one on the belt and tell the cashier the total I have.

I don't think the cashier noticed and had he, she could have easily stated "oh my I forgot that" Yeah right. I didn't say anything. I'm convinced she got a free case of soda.

I think I'd keep my mouth shut and leave the area.
 
Buckeye said:
At Wally's a few days ago and saw a young lady, well dressed, and certainly well feed, open up two preweighed, pre packaged containers of strawberries, take 4 or 5 or ? out of one package, and put it another, and of course put that one in her cart. She made no attempt to hide what she was doing, and managed to cheat another shopper out of a few berries. I guess that counts as a "win" in some circles.....
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You can't buy ethics can you? I don't know, I think some people just think they are entitled.

Edit to add: I'm clearly well fed and would never do that.
 
I once read an article that said stealing is very common in the self-checkout lanes of the supermarkets, as it's very easy to do. The stores know it, and often look the other way, as the cost of the stolen groceries is a lot less than hiring more checkout clerks or guards. Somehow, I found that kind of shocking.
 

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