Community Chat

[occasionalrain]

Since the person was no longer about, I can't think what good reporting would do. They can't make an arrest nor get the item back. You weren't even sure they actually took anything. Under those circumstances, I would have done nothing.

[wildcat fan]

@gellen If I were you, I wouldn't second guess myself at this point.  You did what you thought was right and if nothing else, the vendor now knows to be more aware to protect the merchandise from any future events.  I hope you or someone like you is around if I ever get taken advantage of in the future.

[pigletsmom]

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@threecees wrote:

I have seen someone stealing at a Amelia's grocery store a few years ago. I was a

few feet behind her and I think it was cookies or crackers she was stuffing into her

bag.

I went right to the register and I barely got a thank you. The cashier said oh, we

will check into this. Not a big concern to them.

I tried to do the right thing and it seemed like they didn't care. Oh well, they are

out of business in my location now.

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It can be very hard to deal with shoplifters unless you have a store that is really equiped with security. To stop someone you have to see the item and know where they put it and see them leave with it. So it's hard for them to act on what someone else sees.

It shouldn't really deter you from saying something though. If they have the staff they'll probably try to watch the person. And I've worked retail so I normally have a lot of respect for people that do, but you likely got a cashier that didn't care a bit.

[kittyloo]

back when i was working retail in a major dept. store, it got to the point, even if i saw someone pick something and put it in their bag, the most i was allowed to do was tell a mgr. 

  if the mgr. did not actually "see it" nothing could be done. 

call mall security. they would be long gone. 

  gone are the days where we would confront anyone, and yes, we did run out to the parking lot, and get a license plate.  

[blackhole99]

The vendors at these fairs know they are at risk for theft and it is up to them to make sure they are on top of what's going on. I think you were foolish to report the incident and get involved with the police. It's a different story if someone is harming someone physically, but this is just stuff. I would never turn someone in for stealing food, you have no idea what the persons situation is, they may even be mentally ill.

[BirkiLady]

@gellen  As I was standing in line at the US Post Office to return a package to QVC, a couple of 12 or 13 year old girls were ahead of me. There was a display of mailers with hearts on them, which seemed to attract them. As the line crept forward, the girls became more and more interested in the mailers; they would pick a couple up look at them and return them to the display. After three of four times, I ceased watching them. Figured either they were honest kids and didn't have the money or the mailers were reasonable enough to buy, but they didn't have boyfriends to send a "love note" in such a sweet mailer. 

That was my big mistake! As the line moved forward, I didn't realize that they were hanging back near the display . . . and I was blocking the vision of the USPS clerks. Suddenly, both girls bolted from the display area and around me . . . and out the doors! I suddenly knew what had happened, although I had not witnessed anything. Like you, I didn't know what to do.

One of the USPS clerks yelled, "Did they steal anything?" All I could say was, "Probably two mailers with the hearts. They were looking and giggling the entire time as the line was moving slowly, but I didn't see them actually take anything." He shook his head and went back to helping his customer with her package.

When it was my turn, I gave him a good description of both girls and the mailers they had been looking at. By then, another USPS employee had taken inventory and, yes, they were missing two. Don't know if my information helped or not. But those mailers had to go through that same station before going to the Main Post Office in downtown Lincoln! Chances of those girls being caught were pretty good. Fines for two inexpensive mailers would be around $250 each in our City. Pure stupidity.