1. Watch the customer who is more interested in watching the sales clerks than looking at the merchandise - eye contact, is it frequent?
2. Watch for youths entering in groups of two or more.
3. Watch for the customer entering with large purses, shopping bags, open packages, news papers, etc.
4. Watch for the customer wearing bulky clothing or unseasonable clothing.
5. Watch for the customer who is "just looking" or loitering. This person usually refuses any offer of assistance and makes no attempt to buy.
6. Watch for the customer carrying merchandise to the "hidden areas" of the store.
Deterrence to Shoplifting
1. Reposition frequently stolen items to better viewing areas.
2. Keep areas neat and clean.
3. Most Important - for employees to make eye contact and if possible verbal acknowledgment with every customer who enters the store. Usually this will force eye contact on the part of the shoplifter and this provides a psychological deterrent to him.
Legal Definitions
1. 484 / 488 PC - theft of property $399.00 or less. Misdemeanor A. Crime must be seen by clerk B. Thief does not have to exit store to effect an arrest.
2. 487 PC - Grand theft of property over $400.00. Felony A. Reasonable Cause to believe that a theft has occurred and the person to be stopped is the one who took it.
3. 666 PC - Petty theft with a prior conviction. Felony
4. 459 PC - Burglary. Suspect entered the store to commit a crime (ie shoplifting)
Responding to Shoplifting
1. Call Asset Protection at #_ _ _ _.
2. Citizen Arrest - you must be trained on points of the law and liabilities.
3. Remember this is a property crime DON'T risk injury attempting to detain a shoplifter.
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