NCJ Number
68805
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOKLET PROVIDES PRACTICAL ADVICE ON HOW TO IDENTIFY, DETER, APPREHEND, AND PROSECUTE SHOPLIFTERS.
Abstract
RETAIL THEFTS OCCUR EVERY 5 SECONDS IN THE U.S., COSTING EACH AMERICAN $150 A YEAR. THE TYPES OF SHOPLIFTERS ARE JUVENILE SHOPLIFTERS, WHO ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT 50 PERCENT OF ALL SHOPLIFTING; IMPULSE SHOPLIFTERS; ALCOHOLICS; VAGRANTS; DRUG ADDICTS; KLEPTOMANIACS; AND PROFESSIONAL THIEVES. JUVENILES AND PROFESSIONALS TEND TO WORK IN GROUPS, WHILE THE IMPULSE SHOPLIFTER IS A LONER. SHOPLIFTERS LOOK OUT FOR OTHER CUSTOMERS OR STORE PERSONNEL WITH QUICK, NERVOUS GLANCES AND THEY TEND TO STEAL DURING HOURS WHEN STORE STAFF IS LIGHTER THAN USUAL--EARLY MORNING, LUNCH HOURS, AND JUST BEFORE CLOSING. STORE PERSONNEL SHOULD WATCH FOR SHOPPERS WITH BULKY PACKAGES, POCKETBOOKS, BABY CARRIAGES, KNITTING BAGS, SHOPPING BAGS, UMBRELLAS, NEWSPAPERS, COATS, MAGAZINES, AND ARM SLINGS. STORE OWNERS CAN BETTER DETER SHOPLIFTERS BY EDUCATING EMPLOYEES TO BE ALERT TO THE SHOPLIFTER'S EARLY WARNING SIGNALS, PLANNING STORE LAYOUT WITH DETERRENCE IN MIND, AND USING SECURITY PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT. IN ORDER TO GIVE SHOPLIFTING CHARGES A CHANCE OF SUCCESS, STORE PERSONNEL MUST SEE THE PERSON TAKE OR CONCEAL THE MERCHANDISE, IDENTIFY THE MERCHANDISE AS COMING FROM THEIR STORE, TESTIFY THAT IT WAS TAKEN WITH THE INTENT TO STEAL, AND PROVE THAT THE MERCHANDISE WAS NOT PAID FOR. OWNERS SHOULD CHECK THEIR OWN STATE LAWS; IT IS BEST FOR OWNERS OR DETECTIVES TO APPREHEND SHOPLIFTERS OUTSIDE THE STORE.