In some cases, shoplifting is fairly simple. People will just conceal the products that they want to take without paying for them. They may hide those items in their clothing, such as putting an item under their shirt or in a pocket. They may conceal those items in a bag or a purse, or, if they are a parent, they may try to hide them under a blanket in a child’s stroller. They’re just trying to get out the door without anyone realizing that they’ve stolen the item.
But this is certainly not the only way that shoplifting takes place. It’s important to understand what types of violations there are, as those facing charges may need to begin looking into their defense options. Understanding the nature of those charges is a crucial first step.
1. Modifying prices
One example is when people change the tags or stickers on different products, attempting to modify the price. It’s difficult to shoplift a television, for instance, because of the size. But someone may take the price tag off of a television that costs $300 and put it on one that costs $1m000, hoping that the cashier won’t notice.
2. Purchasing other items
One comment tactic is that people will purchase other items while shoplifting. They’re not just going to grab one thing and run out the door, as that would be too obvious. But they may buy 10 items and only scan nine of them at the self-checkout, allowing them to take one item for free.
These are just a few examples of situations in which people may be accused of shoplifting. If this has happened to you – or if you are the parent of a child who was accused of shoplifting – then you need to know what steps to take.
