Is Your Store Protected From The Shoplifter?

theft (4)During the economic downturn in 2008, many retailers sought to save by reducing the dollar amount they spend in loss prevention.  Although the mistake of reducing their loss prevention budget lead to more shrinkage in their stores, the harm and certainly the knowledge of reducing their budget in that sector was rectified and learned.  Retail stores need to spend wisely and investing in loss prevention devices and seminars is the way to reduce more shrinkage in their stores.

Read more about shoplifting crime by following the links below.


Pair of shoplifters cited in boutique theft

Two individuals were cited for shoplifting Saturday after they allegedly went into a boutique and stole a number of items.
Timothy Wayne Hamlet, of Cookeville, and Mandy Nicole Williams, of Baxter, were stopped by Officer Marc Declaire in a vehicle described as one involved in a shoplifting at Bella Boutique on South Jefferson Avenue.

“The suspects were described as a white male with a camouflage hat and the white female wearing pajama pants,” Officer Declaire reported.

The officer spotted the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop.

During an interview, Williams indicated that Hamlet had taken a Victoria Secret handbag that contained a green watch from the store, the report states.

“A search of the vehicle revealed numerous items from Bella Boutique, all with price tags still on them and most of which were in constructive possession of Ms. Williams,” the report states.

The boutique owner arrived and identified her property, including five headbands, a Tennessee Vols diaper cover, a leather bracelet, a green watch, a handbag, a necklace, two handmade scarfs, and other items valued at around $200, according to the report.


Woman accused of shoplifting with 9-year-old daughter

Baytown police say a woman is behind bars after leaving her 9-year-old daughter behind after she stole more than $150 worth of merchandise from a Walmart.

“People steal all the time, you’d be surprised,” said shopper Jordan Pridgeon. “But the leaving-your-kid part, that’s crazy.”

LaKeeasha Artis, 28, was booked into the Harris County Jail and held on a $3,000 bond. She made her first appearance Friday before a judge in magistrate court.

Police said she went into the Walmart on Garth Road, placed two cameras in her purse and gave the purse to her daughter.

When she went to get her SUV, police said she had the girl wait with the purse at the door.

When Artis saw a store loss prevention officer waiting for her, she reportedly jumped in her vehicle and took off.

Officers said she literally left her 9-year-old daughter — now crying and in tears — holding the bag.


Venezuelan Tourist Cleared Of Alleged Shoplifting At Macy’s

A Venezuelan tourist was acquitted Monday of shoplifting at Macy’s Herald Square flagship store, in one of several cases of shoppers saying they were wrongly accused of stealing at major New York City retailers.

Maria Paez was cleared by a judge Monday, according to attorney Daniel Hochheiser.

Court records were not immediately available Monday evening. Manhattan District Attorney’s office representatives had no immediate information.

Paez said she was stopped after putting items in a Macy’s bag to carry them around the flagship store Sept. 12. She said she believed she was targeted because she spoke Spanish and had words with an impolite fitting-room attendant.

Paez claimed she was racially profiled, falsely arrested, imprisoned and forcefully separated from her child when she was taken to the lockup at the store.

She claimed she was not allowed to call her 12-year-old son, who was shopping on another floor in the store, throughout the entire ordeal. She was charged with petite larceny, however, claims she never walked out of the store with the clothes.

Macy’s has no immediate comment.


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