Shoplifter Characteristics

[wallyap01]

Just curious, what does everyone look for in their idea of the "typical" shoplifter?

[mobrien316]

They are generally bipedal carbon-based life forms. Other than that it would be a mistake to generalize.

[Coastie 585]

Well,

Usually I will watch anyone that constantly looks at cameras, moves from their area of interest when someone is around, stares at the cashiers, has any kind of bags/backpacks, ducks behind displays, opens bags/purses/backpacks/etc, takes merchandise out of packages.

You can tell a lot about someone by their eyes. I will see people act like they are reading a product description when they are really looking around to see if anyone is near.

[manahmanah]

I usually look for the guy that sticks something in his pocket and runs out of the store.

[Jay7376]

Keep your eye on the woman who walks in with a very large, and very empty, purse.

But yet, as she leaves, the purse somehow became very full.

[Hockey9019]

Diaper bags. Plain and simple


Other then that...they look like all of us

[highwayman]

Just curious, what does everyone look for in their idea of the "typical" shoplifter?

Off topic here but I can mention some "typical" thieves:

They could be (or one day will be ) your boss, the supervisors, employees, keyholders, shift managers, the general manager and pretty much everybody in the store office who are responsible for almost 35% of the company's overall shrinkage.

So when you are out there on the floor watching the bad guys steal keep that in the back of your mind, and don't be surprised if you see some (or one) of them walking out the front door in handcuffs.

Ah, almost forgot, keep an eye on the guy who authorizes the gift card balances in the accounting office.

[mcsap]

Someone who looks all over the place way too much. MOST people are just in a store to shop around , not constantly look aronud.

[ShowConfig]

I worked in Loss Prevention about 6 years ago and I am sure this rule has not changed. The eyes will tell what the hands will steal.

I used to stand in the jewelery counter of the store I worked in to watch the front door. 90% of those I apprehended looked at the floor as they walked past the entry way camera.

[highwayman]

I worked in Loss Prevention about 6 years ago and I am sure this rule has not changed. The eyes will tell what the hands will steal.

I used to stand in the jewelery counter of the store I worked in to watch the front door. 90% of those I apprehended looked at the floor as they walked past the entry way camera.

Sears LP, right?

[plcsp]

As previously mentioned, the eyes usually give a shoplifter away. Another indicator I've seen is when a customer is overly friendly and talks to everyone, usually because they are trying to figure out who works there and who doesn't.

[susiequest]

As previously mentioned, the eyes usually give a shoplifter away. Another indicator I've seen is when a customer is overly friendly and talks to everyone, usually because they are trying to figure out who works there and who doesn't.

Would this not be considered profiling? Is this legal? Recently in our community there was a large problem with shoplifting. I have lived in my community close to 25 years. I do not know a stranger. I do not shoplift or have any record of shoplifting. A thief I am not. A liar I am not. I could be talking to one of the worlds largest criminals and when I walk out never see this individual again. It could look as they were my best friend. For myself when I went into one particular store in my community I felt as though I were being stalked. At one point it became so uncomfortable I found myself becoming very angry and lashing out at individuals who for some reason found it necessary to follow me. Anger not one of my characteristics. All my anger is justiified. As I read these pages I now understand what happened. I was the person who talked with everyone. I no longer shop in this store. Shopping for myself has become for necessity only. No longer something to enjoy. No longer a place to meet old people as well as new people. In and out. No longer do I feel comfortable with browsing looking talking or just being me. No longer do I feel comfortable with conversing with individuals in the parking lot. What would you suggest for someone who fits many of the characteristics that have been described on these pages?

[bluelightzgrl]

Would this not be considered profiling? Is this legal? Recently in our community there was a large problem with shoplifting. I have lived in my community close to 25 years. I do not know a stranger. I do not shoplift or have any record of shoplifting. A thief I am not. A liar I am not. I could be talking to one of the worlds largest criminals and when I walk out never see this individual again. It could look as they were my best friend. For myself when I went into one particular store in my community I felt as though I were being stalked. At one point it became so uncomfortable I found myself becoming very angry and lashing out at individuals who for some reason found it necessary to follow me. Anger not one of my characteristics. All my anger is justiified. As I read these pages I now understand what happened. I was the person who talked with everyone. I no longer shop in this store. Shopping for myself has become for necessity only. No longer something to enjoy. No longer a place to meet old people as well as new people. In and out. No longer do I feel comfortable with browsing looking talking or just being me. No longer do I feel comfortable with conversing with individuals in the parking lot. What would you suggest for someone who fits many of the characteristics that have been described on these pages?

WTF, seriously...wtf :confused: :confused:

Next time you post, could you please use paragraphs. Instead of this barely coherent form of brain spewed rambling.

Sadly I read your post twice and I am still not completely sure if you have posted solely to b!tch or if you have an honest question.

What I did figure out... to your first question. No, that is not profiling. Yes it is completely legal to follow someone around who gives off the hints that they are planning on stealing something.

After that, it sounds like you were butt-hurt because someone assumed you fit those same characteristics. Or are you simply paranoid? Either way, get over it. I've even been followed by security. A handful of times when I was pregnant because the retard didn't believe I was really pregnant; this individual in loss prevention shows his true level of intelligence when he said he didn't believe me because I didn't have fat ankles and I wasn't wearing sweat-clothes. :eek: Ummm, okay... :rolleyes:

As for meeting new people while shopping, I thought you said you don't know a stranger in your community. :confused: I have never seen shopping as a social event, but that's probably just a personal thing. Since you said you no longer frequent ‘that’ store, you could try hanging out at a local mall. :rolleyes:

[ExUSPP]

Would this not be considered profiling? Is this legal? Recently in our community there was a large problem with shoplifting. I have lived in my community close to 25 years. I do not know a stranger. I do not shoplift or have any record of shoplifting. A thief I am not. A liar I am not. I could be talking to one of the worlds largest criminals and when I walk out never see this individual again. It could look as they were my best friend. For myself when I went into one particular store in my community I felt as though I were being stalked. At one point it became so uncomfortable I found myself becoming very angry and lashing out at individuals who for some reason found it necessary to follow me. Anger not one of my characteristics. All my anger is justiified. As I read these pages I now understand what happened. I was the person who talked with everyone. I no longer shop in this store. Shopping for myself has become for necessity only. No longer something to enjoy. No longer a place to meet old people as well as new people. In and out. No longer do I feel comfortable with browsing looking talking or just being me. No longer do I feel comfortable with conversing with individuals in the parking lot. What would you suggest for someone who fits many of the characteristics that have been described on these pages?

Profiling based on race = BAD. Profiling not based on race does not = BAD.

[GrahamX05]

Would this not be considered profiling? Is this legal? Recently in our community there was a large problem with shoplifting. I have lived in my community close to 25 years. I do not know a stranger. I do not shoplift or have any record of shoplifting. A thief I am not. A liar I am not. I could be talking to one of the worlds largest criminals and when I walk out never see this individual again. It could look as they were my best friend. For myself when I went into one particular store in my community I felt as though I were being stalked. At one point it became so uncomfortable I found myself becoming very angry and lashing out at individuals who for some reason found it necessary to follow me. Anger not one of my characteristics. All my anger is justiified. As I read these pages I now understand what happened. I was the person who talked with everyone. I no longer shop in this store. Shopping for myself has become for necessity only. No longer something to enjoy. No longer a place to meet old people as well as new people. In and out. No longer do I feel comfortable with browsing looking talking or just being me. No longer do I feel comfortable with conversing with individuals in the parking lot. What would you suggest for someone who fits many of the characteristics that have been described on these pages?

I see your stay in the great world of RP being VERY short:rolleyes: