THIS PRESENTATION WILL Define shoplifting by the Code of Virginia… Identify your rights and responsibilities as a merchant… Identify the types of shoplifters… Show you how to identify possible shoplifters… Show you the techniques shoplifters use… Identify steps to take to help prevent shoplifting… Identify the steps you should take if you have a shoplifter…

1. THE ART OF SHOPLIFTING
SPONSORED BY
COEBURN POLICE DEPT.
CREATED BY H. STALLARD NOVEMBER 2012
hstallard@yahoo.com

2. SHOPLIFTING

4. SHOPLIFTING
THIS PRESENTATION WILL
Define shoplifting by the Code of Virginia…
Identify your rights and responsibilities as a
merchant…
Identify the types of shoplifters…
Show you how to identify possible shoplifters…
Show you the techniques shoplifters use…
Identify steps to take to help prevent shoplifting…
Identify the steps you should take if you have a
shoplifter…

5. IN VIRGINIA SHOPLIFTING IS
• § 18.2-103. Concealing or taking possession of
merchandise;

6. IN VIRGINIA SHOPLIFTING IS
• § 18.2-103. Concealing or taking possession of
merchandise; altering price tags

7. IN VIRGINIA SHOPLIFTING IS
• § 18.2-103. Concealing or taking possession of
merchandise; altering price tags ; transferring
goods from one container to another;

8. IN VIRGINIA SHOPLIFTING IS
• § 18.2-103. Concealing or taking possession of
merchandise; altering price tags ; transferring
goods from one container to another; counseling,
etc., another in performance of such acts.

9. Code of Virginia § 8.01- 44.4
• "Shoplift" means any one or more of the
following acts committed by a person
without the consent of the merchant and
with the purpose or intent of appropriating
merchandise to that person's own or
another's use without payment, obtaining
merchandise at less than its stated sales
price, or otherwise depriving a merchant of
all or any part of the value or use of
merchandise

10. "Shoplift" means any one or more of
the following acts
Removing any merchandise from the premises
of the merchant's establishment;
concealing any merchandise;
substituting, altering, removing, or disfiguring
any label or price tag;
transferring any merchandise from a container
in which that merchandise is displayed or
packaged to any other container;

11. "Shoplift" means any one or more of
the following acts
disarming any alarm tag attached to any
merchandise;
obtaining or attempting to obtain possession
of any merchandise by charging that
merchandise to another person without the
authority of that person or by charging that
merchandise to a fictitious person.
From the Code of Virginia § 8.01- 44.4

12. CONCEALMENT PROVES INTENT
The willful concealment of goods or
merchandise of any store or other mercantile
establishment, while still on the premises
thereof, shall be prima facie evidence ( a fact
presumed to be true unless it is disproved) of an
intent to convert and defraud the owner
thereof out of the value of the goods or
merchandise.
From the Code of Virginia § 18.2-103

13. YOUR RIGHTS
You have the right to detain a subject that you
suspect of shoplifting…
• § 18.2-105.1. Detention of suspected shoplifter.
• A merchant, agent or employee of the merchant,
who has probable cause to believe that a person
has shoplifted in violation of § 18.2-95 (Grand
larceny) or § 18.2-96 (Petit larceny) or § 18.2-103
(Shoplifting), on the premises of the merchant,
may detain such person for a period not to
exceed one hour pending arrival of a lawenforcement officer.

14. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
§ 8.01-226.9. Exemption from civil liability in connection with
arrest or detention of person suspected of shoplifting.
A merchant, agent or employee of the merchant, who
causes the arrest or detention of any person pursuant to
the provisions of §18.2-95, § 18.2-96 or § 18.2-103, shall
not be held civilly liable for unlawful detention,
if such detention does not exceed one hour, slander,
malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, false
arrest, or assault and battery of the person so
arrested or detained…

15. PREVENTING FALSE ARREST
The retail security and loss prevention
industry have developed six universally
accepted steps to minimize the potential for a
false arrest claim.
You must see the shoplifter approach the
merchandise
You must see the shoplifter select the
merchandise

16. PREVENTING FALSE ARREST
You must see the shoplifter conceal, convert
or carry away the merchandise
You must maintain continuous observation of
the shoplifter
You must observe the shoplifter fail to pay for
the merchandise
You must apprehend the shoplifter outside
the store

17. ASSAULT AND BATTERY
In Virginia you are not allowed to put hands
on a shoplifter to detain them.

18. PROBABLE CAUSE TO DETAIN
The activation of an electronic article
surveillance device…

19. PROBABLE CAUSE TO DETAIN
The activation of an electronic article
surveillance device…
provided such person is detained only in a
reasonable manner and only for such time as
is necessary for an inquiry into the
circumstances surrounding the activation of
the device…

20. PROBABLE CAUSE TO DETAIN
and provided that clear and visible notice is
posted at each exit and location within the
premises where such a device is located
indicating the presence of an antishoplifting
or inventory control device.

21. PROBABLE CAUSE TO DETAIN
You see or have on video a subject concealing
any merchandise…

22. PROBABLE CAUSE TO DETAIN
You see or have on video a person
substituting, altering, removing, or disfiguring
any label or price tag…

23. PROBABLE CAUSE TO DETAIN
You see or have on video a person transferring
any merchandise from a container in which
that merchandise is displayed or packaged to
any other container…

24. PROBABLE CAUSE TO DETAIN
You see or have on video a person disarming
any alarm tag attached to any merchandise…

25. Types of Shoplifters
Shoplifters fall into several basic types or
categories.
Professionals:
This group represents a rather small percentage
of shoplifters, but they proportionally can
account for significant losses. Due to the fact that
they operate in a very smooth manner, they are
the most difficult to detect. Professionals usually
steal to return for cash, or sell to a "fence".

26. Types of Shoplifters
Amateurs:
This group represents the majority of
shoplifters. Typically, they are more
opportunistic in nature, not as skilled as
professionals, and are generally nervous and
self-conscious.

27. Types of Shoplifters
Drug Users/Addicts:
This group steals to fund their drug habit.
They will either resell their booty to a fence,
or attempt a cash refund. Their methods are
crude and usually not well planned.
Remember, an addict can become frantic, or
even violent, when apprehended.

28. Types of Shoplifters
Kleptomaniac:
Very few shoplifters fall into this category. This
type of individual has a psychological
compulsion to steal. They will commit a theft
whenever the urge hits. Normally they are
nervous and shy.

29. Types of Shoplifters
Vagrant:
These individuals generally take food items,
alcoholic beverages, or clothing needed for
personal use. A vagrant often steals to exist
and may be under the influence of alcohol.

30. Types of Shoplifters
The Juvenile :
Steals mainly for the thrill or to gain status in the
peer group…
Most of these thieves are girls…
They work in groups but not necessarily
organized gangs…
They usually take merchandise they intend to use
(jewelry, make-up, clothes, small electronics,
sporting or recreational items)

31. What does a shoplifter look like?
Unfortunately, there is no typical profile of a
shoplifter. Thieves come in all ages, races and from
all backgrounds.

32. What does a shoplifter look like?
However, there are some signs that should
signal a red flag for retailers.
While the following characteristics don't
necessarily mean guilt, retailers should keep a
close eye on shoppers who exhibit the
following…

33. RED FLAGS
Someone …
who spends more time watching the cashier
or sales clerk than actually shopping…

34. RED FLAGS
Someone …
who wears bulky, heavy clothing or coats
during warm weather…

35. RED FLAGS
Someone …
who carries a coat or sweater or a large OPEN
bag ,purse, or slightly open umbrella…

36. Someone …
RED FLAGS
who walks with short or unnatural steps, which may
indicate that they are concealing lifted items
between their legs.

37. RED FLAGS

38. RED FLAGS
Someone …
who is pushing a baby stroller or carrying a
bundled infant…

39. RED FLAGS
Someone …
who takes multiple items into dressing room…
who seems nervous and possibly picks up
random items with no interest…
who frequently enters store and never makes
a purchase…
who has a backpack or purse that look light
when entering the store but heavy when
leaving…

40. TECHNIQUES USED BY SHOPLIFTERS
Concealing the merchandise
Palming…hiding a small item in their hand and
concealing it later.
The drop…sliding an item off the counter or
dropping it into an open
bag, purse, umbrella, baby buggy, etc.
Knocking over a display and palm or pocketing an
item while helping to pick the other items up.
Carrying an item around until they are in a blind
spot in the store where they conceal it.

41. TECHNIQUES USED BY SHOPLIFTERS
Concealing the merchandise
Placing it in hidden pockets or modified
clothing.

42. TECHNIQUES USED BY SHOPLIFTERS
Concealing the merchandise
hiding it inside of loose fitting garments…

43. TECHNIQUES USED BY SHOPLIFTERS
Concealing the merchandise
hiding it in the baby’s buggy or blankets…

44. TECHNIQUES USED BY SHOPLIFTERS
Concealing the merchandise
Wearing the item out of the store…

45. TECHNIQUES USED BY SHOPLIFTERS
Concealing the merchandise
Crotch walking…holding the item with their
thighs under a dress or long coat…

46. TECHNIQUES USED BY SHOPLIFTERS
GRAB AND RUN
Subjects either alone or in a group grab items
and runs out of the store.

47. TECHNIQUES USED BY SHOPLIFTERS
DEFEATING THE ELECTRONICS
BOOSTER BAG

48. TECHNIQUES USED BY SHOPLIFTERS
DEFEATING THE ELECTRONICS
BOOSTER BAG
• It shall be unlawful to manufacture, sell, offer for
sale, distribute or possess any specially coated or
laminated bag or other device primarily designed
and intended to shield shoplifted merchandise
from detection by an anti-theft electronic alarm
sensor, with the intention that the same be used
to aid in the shoplifting of merchandise.
• A violation of this section shall be punishable as a
Class 1 misdemeanor. 18.2-105.2

49. TECHNIQUES USED BY SHOPLIFTERS
DEFEATING THE ELECTRONICS
REMOVING OR DEACTIVATING THE TAG

50. TECHNIQUES USED BY SHOPLIFTERS
DEFEATING THE ELECTRONICS
REMOVING OR DEACTIVATING THE TAG
There are hundreds of web sites that give
detailed instructions on how to remove or
deactivate every type of electronic tag.

51. TECHNIQUES USED BY SHOPLIFTERS
DEFEATING THE ELECTRONICS
If no one is looking, they simply hold the item
with tag in the air ABOVE the electronic article
surveillance device.

52. TECHNIQUES USED BY SHOPLIFTERS
HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

53. TECHNIQUES USED BY SHOPLIFTERS
HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT
The shoplifter selects a large item that is too
big to be bagged and simply walks out of the
store with it…
They usually do this when the clerk is
distracted or when a large number of people
are in the store.

54. TECHNIQUES USED BY SHOPLIFTERS
DISTRACTION
The shoplifter will either create or take
advantage of something that distracts the
clerk to hide the item.

55. TECHNIQUES USED BY SHOPLIFTERS
The switch
The shoplifter brings an item into the
store that is similar to but a cheaper
version of the item they wish to lift.
They ask to see the expensive
model, distract the clerk, switch the
items, then give the clerk the cheap
model to put back on the shelf.

56. PREVENTING SHOPLIFTING
You can’t completely stop all shoplifting…
but there are many things you can do to slow
it down.
Post signs in conspicuous places that say you
prosecute shoplifters.

57. PREVENTING SHOPLIFTING
Keep an eye on people who are loitering or
wandering around.
Never leave the store or department
unattended. This is the opportunity the
shoplifter is waiting for.
Don’t ever turn your back on a customer.
Keep expensive merchandise locked in a
showcase.

58. PREVENTING SHOPLIFTING
Don’t allow any customer to distract the
cashier while helping somebody.
Be careful of persons walking with merchandise
in hand.
Watch customers with open packages, shopping
bags, oversized handbags and purses.
Never put out more than one item on a counter
top for a customer to look at.

59. PREVENTING SHOPLIFTING
Watch the nervous customer who does not
want assistance.
Eliminate blind spots in your store by
rearranging racks, counters, cash registers, etc.,
or use mirrors or closed circuit TV cameras.
Don’t display expensive clothing or
merchandise in the front of the store or near
entrances or exits unless they are secured.

60. PREVENTING SHOPLIFTING
Do not allow cash returns without store receipt.
Limit the dollar amount of any return without
direct manager approval.
Beware of distractions. Some shoplifters show
up in groups. One might be the lookout or
instead approaches employees to misdirect
them while the shoplifter grabs an item.

61. IF YOU HAVE A SHOPLIFTER
If you have a confirmed shoplifter in the store,
it’s better to call the police and let them
detain the suspect.
If you feel that they may leave before the
police arrive then…
Identify yourself, explain the circumstances
and request the person return to the store or
remain in the store until the police arrive.

62. IF YOU HAVE A SHOPLIFTER
If a suspect is reluctant to return or remain ,
advise them an arrest may be necessary if
they will not voluntarily return or wait for the
police.
If the suspect is determined to leave…
It is better to let them go than become
involved in a physical confrontation where
injury might occur to the employee or
suspect.

63. IF YOU HAVE A SHOPLIFTER
Make sure to get a good description of the
suspect and/or vehicle and direction of travel
should the suspect flee.
Document your observations and actions in
writing. Do this as soon as possible after the
incident. This report will be your portable
memory when the case goes to court.
Bar from your store anyone you catch shoplifting.

65. • COEBURN POLICE DEPARTMENT
• 114 FRONT STREET
• 395-2111
• CHIEF SCOTT BROOKS
• sbrooks@townofcoeburn.com