need advice catching a shoplifter?
Ok this kid came into our store wearing sunglasses and a hat. He got a cart and selected a bookbag and about 20 blue ray movies worth about $500 and went into a blind spot in the store. We didn't see him take the movies but its obvious he did. We went to see the spot after he walked back into view and left the store after paying for the bookbag at the self checkout isle. We found all 20 cases opened and left out in the isle with all the movies removed. We are assuming he put the discs in the bookbag and left. I wanted to stop him but another lp guy told me we can't cuz we didn't see him take them. we called a couple other local stores and they said the same thing happened to him. we believe in the past 2 months he has taken about $10000 worth of merchandise. What can we do to catch him? If we don't see him we can't stop him. His face is covered and he parks his car in a different parking lot so we can't get liscense plate. What do we do??
the $10000 wasnt just from us. it was about 10-15 other department stores in the county that have been hit. we dont ever notice the guy till we see him going to his spot so its hard to react.
you can tell hes experienced. he looks around for cameras and workers. some store said he even brought a friend with to him to play lookout. he changes hats everytime too (probably stole those too) its so complicated because if he runs its not like we can get his car plates because he parks in a different area (unsure where, we watched videos of him just walk off the property and out of sight.) one store chased him but they said hes faster than a mo fo
Answers & Comments
You have an experienced thief here that is possibly part of a ring of thieves. You need to coordinate with the stores that have lost goods, the police and stores not yet visited by this thief (or thieves) to get a general description, M.O. and other identifying characteristics out. Also consider adding some hidden cameras in those blind spots or undercover security during high sales volume times. Also consider seeing where he is selling these items--the police can help with this.
If there is the evidence of a similar M.O. and empty cases in several stores, you do not need to see him to detain him, but be careful if he is that organized--he may be carrying a weapon. Good hunting.
I hope this helps.
Step 1: Institute smarter policies like checking all bags before they leave the store, no blindspots and employees should be walking the isles at all times- especially the corners where cameras aren't present.
Step 2: You have a right to refuse business to anyone. If you see him in your store again, you are 100% within your right to ask him to leave. No explanation is necessary. If you can't prove theft, don't accuse him, just state that he's on private property and you want him to leave immediately.
Step 3: Get a security gaurd if you need to.
If you know who it is, why doesn't someone just follow them around like a shadow including to the blind spot in the store. If dude knows he's a heat score and you're onto him, he'll look for an easier less risky shoppe and staff.
Why is he walking around a store with a cart and a bookbag anyways, most stores where I live have signs saying all backpacks and bags must be left with the cashier/at customer service specifically to screw with shoplifters - if they object to this rule, fine... shop [shoplift] elsewhere.
Call the police and have them go undercover. Whenever someone with a hat comes in, tell the cops to follow him or keep an eye on him or something like that.
And no one though to look in the bag when he checked out. Amazing.