topic Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold in Community Chat

Shoplifting Getting More Bold

Twins Mom — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 20:58:32 GMT

Shoplifting gangs of groups getting more bold and prevalent. Ruins it for all of us . Not only are we concerned with safety but we see our shopping opportunities erode. Strip shopping and outlets make it easier to hit and run away before police can arrive.

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

Reever — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:00:59 GMT

Years ago I witnessed someone shoplifting a lemon (they stuck it in their coat pocket) in a super market. When I reported it to the store desk they failed to do anything. The response from the young woman was "I will report it to management". I dont think stores are doing enough to prevent this kind of thing.

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

SahmIam — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:05:29 GMT

Eh. I remember bold shoplifting gangs in the late 70's early 80's hitting the high-end stores in the MD area ( I was in high school and working part time in retail then). One group targeted furs. Because of this, stores moved the furs to the back of the stores instead of up front near the main doors to the outside. Same with high end bags and shoes.

It's nothing new.

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

4kitties — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:05:49 GMT

Some areas of the country will not prosecute shoplifters. If the items stolen are worth less than $900.00 I think. There are videos of people with armfuls of clothes walking right out of a Marshall's. The stores will not call police because there is nothing they can do. It is very disturbing and unfair to business owners.

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

JaneMarple — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:08:53 GMT

@SahmIam wrote:
Eh. I remember bold shoplifting gangs in the late 70's early 80's hitting the high-end stores in the MD area ( I was in high school and working part time in retail then). One group targeted furs. Because of this, stores moved the furs to the back of the stores instead of up front near the main doors to the outside. Same with high end bags and shoes.

It's nothing new.

Exactly!

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

Reever — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:15:55 GMT

@4kitties wrote:
Some areas of the country will not prosecute shoplifters. If the items stolen are worth less than $900.00 I think. There are videos of people with armfuls of clothes walking right out of a Marshall's. The stores will not call police because there is nothing they can do. It is very disturbing and unfair to business owners.

Well I guess thats why they did not take my report of a .50 cent lemon seriously. Butits the principle that matters, Many of us are struggling to make ends meat and have to purchase the store brand labels to affotd food as it is. The stores just pass their loss onto the honest paying customer.

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

lovesrecess — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:28:19 GMT

The roaming groups of teens is one big reason so many malls began to close...shoppers felt intimidated and harassed; then online shopping was the final nail in the coffin. Laws won’t let the police do anything if the price of what is stolen is less than a specific amount...here it is $900.00 but I think it varies by area, so store managers can’t stop it. Another reason prices increase. We had a young store clerk die a couple of years ago when she ran after a guy who had stolen a six pack of beer from a convenience store. He struck her with his car when he was getting away and left her lying in the parking lot. Managers tell employees not to pursue or even confront anyone they see shoplifting...just tell security...if they even have any.

I have seen women, more than once, put stolen merchandise like stacks of clothing under their baby in a stroller. They see me watching them, pause, and then just keep doing it. Sometimes they have a toddler with them...what a terrible example. SMH.

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

Anonymous032819 — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:20:13 GMT

Store security isn't going to tackle someone and throw them to the ground over a $0.50 lemon.

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

Reever — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:21:40 GMT

@lovesrecess wrote:
The roaming groups of teens is one big reason so many malls began to close...then online hopping was the final nail in the coffin.laws won’t let the police do anything if the price of what is stolen is less than a specific amount...it varies by area, so store managers just have to let it happen. We had a young store clerk die a couple of years ago when she ran after a guy who had stolen a six pack of beer from a convenience store. He struck her with his car when he was getting away and left her lying in the parking lot. Managers tell employees not to pursue or even confront anyone they see shoplifting...just tell security...if they even have any.

Just another reason the brick and mortar stores are closing I guess. Less chance of theft online but I imagine the criminals can hack that too. Sad that America has come to this. The days of shopping outings with family seem to be coming to an end. I read that within 50 years robots will be running the world. Glad I wont live to see it.

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

SahmIam — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:32:40 GMT

The roaming groups of teens is, IMHO, a different situation than the gangs who are essentially setting up a "flash mob robbery" situation at specific stores. The latter is usually an organized event with big crime connections though it can be neighborhood punks just being punks.

The roaming teens is a bigger issue and some malls do deal with it and some don't. Bottom line, this is a PARENTING issue and the parents are NOWHERE to be found. A very large mall near me dealt with it in this way:

ANY individual under the age of 18 who is NOT with an adult from 2:30 pm to closing MUST WEAR AN ID BRACELET PROVIDED BY MALL SECURITY. This is done with the assistant of the county police. Friday, Saturday and Sundays county police are at the mall monitoring. The check for the bracelets and remove teens (by calling their parents). It was a mess in the beginning but the change......WOW. The ONLY people who complained were....you guessed it....the teens and their absentee parents/guardians. Shoppers, stores, mall employees, EVERYONE loves the policy. When school lets out for the summer, the policy is extended from open to close hours, 7 days a week. It takes time, effort and following through but it DOES work.

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

catter70 — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:28:11 GMT

This whole world is turning in to a bunch of losers. They need a good swift kick in the butt. They'd rather steal then go out and just get a job like the rest of us. Can't even imagine what it's going to be like in the next 5-10 years, if that. There's a lot more I'd like to say, but I'd get poofed real quick.

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

cherry — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:30:03 GMT

Oh for goodness sakes there has always been shoplifters ,and dishonest people. Read Charles Dickens...******an was in charge of a band of them

We have always had crime . I certainly can't think of any age in history without it

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

lovesrecess — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:30:43 GMT

Sounds like a great plan in theory but I am sure it would be legally challenged here and be shot down. Age discrimination, race, gender, and everything else could be cited...so it wouldn’t stand a chance where I live.

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

pigletsmom — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:31:14 GMT

@Reever wrote:
@4kitties wrote:
Some areas of the country will not prosecute shoplifters. If the items stolen are worth less than $900.00 I think. There are videos of people with armfuls of clothes walking right out of a Marshall's. The stores will not call police because there is nothing they can do. It is very disturbing and unfair to business owners.

Well I guess thats why they did not take my report of a .50 cent lemon seriously. Butits the principle that matters, Many of us are struggling to make ends meat and have to purchase the store brand labels to affotd food as it is. The stores just pass their loss onto the honest paying customer.

It's hard to do anyting off the say so of another person. If you work in a store and you're going to accuse someone of shoplifting you need to see it yourself and be sure you know what the item is and where they have it. If the person another customer saw put it back or something the store could be in trouble for accusing them.

They probably should have sent someone to watch the person a bit in case they took something else, but it's possible they don't have an actual loss prevention person and don't want random employees doing it.

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

sidsmom — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:31:43 GMT

@Reever wrote:
Years ago I witnessed someone shoplifting a lemon (they stuck it in their coat pocket) in a super market. When I reported it to the store desk they failed to do anything. The response from the young woman was "I will report it to management". I dont think stores are doing enough to prevent this kind of thing.

@Reever

'...they failed to do anything.'

How do you know that?

And what do you suggest they do?

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

SahmIam — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:37:18 GMT

@lovesrecess Not really unless your area doesn't want to deal with it (it's a pain in the butt to set up but worth the effort). The mall policy has always been no unattended minors (didn't know that till I had kids), all kids have to wear them (mine do when I'm with them) and gender means nothing-it's all AGE based.

Again, the only ones who complained where the ones causing the problems....surprise,surprise, surprise.

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

dex — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:40:39 GMT

@4kitties wrote:
Some areas of the country will not prosecute shoplifters. If the items stolen are worth less than $900.00 I think. There are videos of people with armfuls of clothes walking right out of a Marshall's. The stores will not call police because there is nothing they can do. It is very disturbing and unfair to business owners.

It is unfair to those of us who pay more to cover The shoplifting habits of criminals.I saw someone taking a cart of groceries out the door... manager told me there was nothing they could do about it as they had no security working.I have seen a lot of theft in that store so apparently the word is out.I just don’t shop in that store anymore.

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

Spurt — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:41:40 GMT

@Reever wrote:
@lovesrecess wrote:
The roaming groups of teens is one big reason so many malls began to close...then online hopping was the final nail in the coffin.laws won’t let the police do anything if the price of what is stolen is less than a specific amount...it varies by area, so store managers just have to let it happen. We had a young store clerk die a couple of years ago when she ran after a guy who had stolen a six pack of beer from a convenience store. He struck her with his car when he was getting away and left her lying in the parking lot. Managers tell employees not to pursue or even confront anyone they see shoplifting...just tell security...if they even have any.

Just another reason the brick and mortar stores are closing I guess. Less chance of theft online but I imagine the criminals can hack that too. Sad that America has come to this. The days of shopping outings with family seem to be coming to an end. I read that within 50 years robots will be running the world. Glad I wont live to see it.

@Reever

Online shopping is no paradise either....What about the "porch pirates" that follow UPS, PRIME, and Fed Ex trucks around all day....Its getting to be a REAL problem....

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

Spurt — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:51:55 GMT

These happened last year...but maybe its taken more seriously here in Texas......

A man stole several steaks at an HEB Grocery Store here, and when an employee approached him, he threatened to shoot him, and the guy escaped on a public transit bus....Police are investigating and have him on video from the store's security camera...

************************************************

There was another case A woman suspected of stealing hundreds of dollars worth of briskets, ribs and other meats is now charged with theft.

According to arrest papers, Amanda McDonald was seen on surveillance video walking into an H-E-B store and loading a shopping cart with briskets, ribs, chicken, sausage and ribeye steaks. She also grabbed some potatoes and charcoal before walking out without paying for any of the food, court documents state.

An H-E-B employee asked her to return to the store and pay, but McDonald apparently refused, got into her car and drove off.

An arrest affidavit states McDonald has pulled off similar thefts at H-E-B stores all over the city. During a separate incident, store workers were able to take down McDonald's license plate information and she was eventually arrested. She is charged with theft.

***************

A man who previously attempted to steal from H-E-B was charged with theft July 10 after trying it again.

According to an affidavit, Dale Cavazos, 37, was seen on store video camera putting items inside a cart. He tried to leave the store without paying, according to the footage.

As Cavazos attempted to exit the store an employee asked to see his receipt. When he could not provide one he immediately dropped the items, left the store and jumped into a car that was waiting outside. Police think the same getaway car may have been used in another theft case with a different suspect.

Re: Shoplifting Getting More Bold

Annabellethecat66 — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:54:59 GMT

Well I recently posted how people don’t get prosecuted or given much time anymore.

Not everyone agreed...I’ll leave it at that.

I keep hearing the term, “catch and release”. Whatever that means.

I know there are places I won’t mention where people caught in a crime do not have to post bail...they’re released..

Don’t believe me? Google it.