I think I saw a Shoplifter

[Mayfriday0529]

I went to Staples yesterday with my mom. We were in the electronics section where most items are all locked up behind the counter or a glass window, but they have the tape recorder and electronic dictionaries in display tied to some sort of plastic cord for security reasons.

Anyways I was looking at some stuff on the glass window when I heard a snap and look to see what it was and immediately saw this guy hand put something in his big parka sweater and act stupid. Now I didn?t see it completely if he stole something but my mom said right away that he just took some machine like item and snapped the cable attached to it and put it in his pocket.

The guy proceeded to walk away and just looking around and I kept watching him and I think I saw him put something else but it was about 120 feet away when he did that so I again could not confirm it. I asked my mom if she wanted to say something and she decline, she did not want to be put in a legal battle etc.

Here is the funny part, as I was paying he was behind me at another counter and he was asking for job application and they told him to come back Monday. Think that was just part of his cover.

What would you guys done, said something or just ignore it.

Cliff notes:
Maybe saw shoplifter, mom said she did see him
Mom didn?t want to say anything
Shoplifter asked for a job as a cover story.
Should I have said something?

 

[Orsorum]

Yes, you should have said something.

 

[biostud]

No, I'm glad you didn't. I don't want to talk to the police again.

 

[SagaLore]

I would have said something. It could have remained anonymous, just point the guy out to a manager and leave.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: Orsorum
Yes, you should have said something.

 

[sixone]

Don't make accusations without solid proof. If you had said something, probably nothing would have happened anyway, since store security didn't see it happen.

 

[Modeps]

Inform a sales associate. From your description though, he may have just busted something by accident and felt embarassed... which is another reason why he may not have stolen something... those display models get abused!

 

[DougK62]

I wouldn't have said anything either. The last thing I want is some yahoo thief pissed at me.

 

[Kev]

how would you have gotten into a legal battle if you told someone?

 

[Red]

I would have anonymously said something to the manager, and then stayed and watched the action.

 

[loic2003]

My sister saw a guy stealing an expensive bottle of wine from a restaurant. She told the waitress but she didn't speak english. Bit annoying really, since she was in England, trying to take orders from English people. Their loss I guess, maybe cheap labour has it's own expenses.

Never confront the thief yourself; maybe tell a member of staff but never put yourself at risk to save some faceless store a few quid.

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

I ain't no snitch

 

[Budmantom]

You should of beat him down.



Tom

 

[spiderrasmon]

I would tripped him, then his ill-gotten gains woulda spilled out, like when the tape recorder fell outta ReRun's overcoat at the Doobie Brothers' concert on the bootelegging episode of "What's Happenin'".

Better yet, your moms should've accused him of groping her and called him a "fresh" pervert and started beating him with her purse. That would've brought attention to this a$$wipe, and he would've been scared $hitle$$.

 

[Crucial]

The store employees couldn't have done anything unless they witnessed it so whats the point. Even if they did more than likely their store policy is probably to not intervene.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Stupid shoplifters. I worked at a grocery store for a bit right after getting out of high school, and there was a kid hunched over by the shelves of candy close to the door. He was staring at some big candy thing on the bottom shelf, while glancing at me out of the corner of his eye.

Other than the item, the bottom shelf was completely empty. I turned around like I was going to walk away then turned right back and the item was gone from the bottom shelf and he was making a beeline for the door, walking in a manner like one does when trying to A. Not soil themselves while getting to the bathroom, or B. Traverse a distance as rapidly as possible while not jarring loose an item they have hidden in their shirt or pants.

For some reason the younger shoplifters think they don't look suspicious if they hunch down and stare at the items they're planning to steal for a really long time before actually taking the items.

 

[DeMeo]

You should have stopped and pointed at him and screamed really loud.

 

[GRIFFIN1]

Next time, beat the guy down as he leaves the store. Take whatever it was that he stole and keep it.

 

[rh71]

I personally would've left it alone... sure I'd like someone to tell me if it were my store, but security really is their job, not mine.

I once was in a girl's clothing store in the mall with my wife and the girls behind the counter (probably in HS or early college) thought they saw someone take something... they didn't even intervene themself... they called mall security right away... the dude came over and they just described what she looked like... I doubt they ever caught her.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Fvck em. It's not your responsibility to maintain store security. Why go out of your way to help them do their job? Not worth the hassle.

 

[gscone]

I worked at Staples when I was 18 and this kid reported a thief. Thief comes back after a week and knocks the employee out. Nuff said. If you're going toreport something, make sure you are discreet.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: spiderrasmon
I would tripped him, then his ill-gotten gains woulda spilled out, like when the tape recorder fell outta ReRun's overcoat at the Doobie Brothers' concert on the bootelegging episode of "What's Happenin'".

Better yet, your moms should've accused him of groping her and called him a "fresh" pervert and started beating him with her purse. That would've brought attention to this a$$wipe, and he would've been scared $hitle$$.

What would you do when he got up and started beating the sh!t out of you for tripping him? Cry like a little bitch?

 

[spiderrasmon]

Originally posted by: gscone
I worked at Staples when I was 18 and this kid reported a thief. Thief comes back after a week and knocks the employee out. Nuff said. If you're going toreport something, make sure you are discreet.

and make sure you can take a punch...

 

[Mayfriday0529]

Well whatever he did take was a piece of junk one of those demo items, although he walked around the store for a while, big parka by the way.

 

[Grunt03]

i would have busted him wide open, if he didn't have anything on him, fine no harm no foul, but if he would have had an item in his pocket then great. it fools like thi swho assist in driving prices up.