What happens if you steal from Lowes?

If a customer is caught stealing from Lowe's, they will be asked to return the merchandise at that point, if not able to get it back, they will call the police who will arrest them at their store that day. If an employee is caught stealing, Disciplinary sanctions, including termination, may be taken against them.

What happens if you steal from a store but don't get caught?

Even if you successfully shoplift and exit the store without being caught, you can still be arrested. When there is missing inventory or if something distinctive is gone from the shelves, businesses may review security footage.

Can a store track you down for stealing?

Some stores even have facial recognition software so they can easily identify people from the surveillance videos. Many locally-owned stores use social media to track down shoplifters. They post images from their security footage and ask the community for help identifying the suspect.

What would you do if you saw someone stealing from a store?

Swing by your local police station so you can talk to a law enforcement professional about what you should do if you find yourself dealing with a shoplifter. You may also want to take this opportunity to get their contact information, so you know who to call if you find a shoplifter in your store.

Will I go to jail for stealing from Target?

Target has relationships with the local police department who respond right away when called about someone suspected of shoplifting. Once the case is processed by the police, it is sent to a criminal court where the penalties may include jail, fines and community service or probation.

Behind The Scenes: Lowe's Loss Prevention

How often do shoplifters get caught after the fact?

A good moment to stop shoplifters is as they leave the department or the store. However, only 5 to 10 percent of shoplifters are caught. Of those caught, only some are reported to the police and fewer are sentenced (usually to a fine).

How do stores catch you stealing?

In order to convict you of shoplifting, a prosecutor will have to prove that: 1) You entered an open commercial establishment during normal business hours, 2) You intended to steal merchandise worth $950 or less. It's important to note that it doesn't matter if you make it out the door with the merchandise.

What should you not do when shoplifting?

Can employees stop shoplifters?

Employees Can't Stop Group Shoplifters Due to Store Policies

Retail employees who intervene in shoplifting face attacks from shoplifters and disciplinary action from their employers. Some stores do not allow security guards to intervene, even when they see people blatantly stealing.

What happens if you get away with shoplifting?

Most shoplifting cases are classified as a misdemeanor. This means that you can face shoplifting charges after leaving the store for up to 1 year after committing the crime. Sometimes it will take weeks or months for the store to file charges because of the constraints of video footage.

Should I return something I stole?

Returning an Item That Has Been Stolen

If you can prove that you did not know that the item was stolen, it is unlikely that you will face any serious consequences. However, if you stole the item yourself or knew that the item was stolen and tried to return it for cash or store credit, your act is considered a crime.

What happens if you forgot to scan an item?

Store employees might interpret a customer's honest mistake as an attempt to steal property. As a result, someone who accidentally forgot to scan an item could end up facing arrest for shoplifting. In some cases, especially those involving repeated thefts, shoplifters may receive felony charges.

How do self checkouts prevent theft?

A lot of self-checkout kiosks help prevent theft by requiring the customer to weigh their items. If the scale registers a heavier weight than what the customer scanned, the kiosk can detect this, capture a picture of the individual, and contact an employee. This method ensures every item is paid for.

What happens if you steal from Home Depot?

If you are caught stealing from Home Depot, the charges are going to be severe. If you were caught stealing from Home Depot in Orlando, you will face a criminal record that could haunt you for the rest of your life. Punishments may even include jail time. These consequences can affect both you and your family.

Why do shoplifters not get caught?

Why is shoplifting so rampant? Because state law holds that stealing merchandise worth $950 or less is just a misdemeanor, which means that law enforcement probably won't bother to investigate, and if they do, prosecutors will let it go.

Can you go to jail for shoplifting?

Ultimately, a person caught shoplifting may be arrested and put on trial. A shoplifting conviction will result in a criminal record and a sentence. A police caution may be given as an alternative to prosecution. If accepted, this caution still comes with a criminal record.

What are three signs of a potential shoplifter?

Is loss prevention allowed to touch you?

LP is prohibited from touching you or running after you.

If you are stopped for shoplifting, loss prevention is not allowed to run after you or physically touch you.

Can a store search my bag?

"The short answer is no. At most retailers, an employee can't force you to show them your receipt or allow them to search your bag. In certain circumstances, store employees are justified in holding you until the police arrive.

What happens if you steal and get caught?

You may be charged with an infraction, which has a fine and possible probation. If you're charged with a misdemeanor, you could face fines of up to $1,000 and as much as six months in jail. Felony or grand theft charges for shoplifting include higher fines and a longer period of jail or prison time.

What is the number 1 stolen item in America?

Designer clothes are the most stolen item by organized retail crime gangs or smash-and-grab thefts. Such organized retail crime has been costing retailers an average of over $700,000 from every $1 billion in sales for the last five years in a row, with the number rising yet again according to the latest figures.

Why is it so easy to shoplift?

Of course it's easy... most stores only have one security guard who obviously can't be everywhere, and most items in most stores are not tagged because they're small-value items. So if you can bag a goody without the security noticing, then all you're left to do is walk through the exit.

How much do stores lose to shoplifting?

The country's largest retail industry group, the National Retail Federation, estimated in its latest report that losses from organized retail theft average $700,000 per $1 billion in sales — or 0.07% of total sales — an amount roughly 330 times lower than the CRA's estimate.

What is a professional shoplifter?

The professional shoplifter dresses, talks and acts so he doesn't attract attention or arouse suspicion. He is usually interested in a small, high-value items for which there is an easy resale market. The professional shoplifter is likely to be very cautious. Generally the professional steals for a living.

Who is more likely to shoplift?

The National Association of Shoplifting Prevention estimates that one in 11 people has shoplifted during his or her lifetime and that men are as likely to shoplift as women (1). In fact, more than $13 billion worth of goods are stolen from retailers in the United States each year (2).