Disturbing Situtation I've Witnessed Lately

[happily single]

Last week my children and I were in Burlington Coat Factory. As I was exiting a middle-age woman with a boy about 6 existing at a rushed pace slightly ahead of me. At that moment I said "gee, she really wants to beat me out" Just as I exited the alarms went out. Luckily security realized it was her and called to her. By this time she was half-way across the parking lot. She briefly stopped, said it wasn't her and when security asked her to come closer she ran into her vehicle, pushing the little guy into the backseat and took off through the parking lot!! The employees were able to get her plate and call the police, although I don't know what happened

Today I was walking into Walmart with my kids as a younger man came running out of the exit with a flat screen tv in his hands. He got into his vehicle, which he had left parked right in front of the store (not running) and took off! Nobody came out! Not the "security checker", nobody. As I was headed towards customer service to let them know I thought I just witnessed a thief a few workers were calling the police with the license plate info.

Maybe I've just been in the wrong place too many times, I certainly hope this is not a new trend

 

[OceanAnnie]

Those kind of incidents get your attention!

 

[disneybound2010]

Sadly, I think this is only the beginning. Things are going to get much worse.

 

[THUNDERMOUNTAINMOMMA]

How very sad for that little boy.

 

[tonilea]

I don't think it is anything new and like a PP mentioned it is going to get worse. Too many people feel entitled to flat screen tvs and other things they can't or don't want to pay for.

 

[Feralpeg]

Many of the stores tell their employees not to interfere. They are simply to get a description/license plate, if possible, and call the police. It is too dangerous for them to try to stop the theft.

I see this as a problem that will only get worse.

 

[LMC]

We have a judge that offers this sentence: The shoplifter that gets caught can stand outside the walmart shopping center on the main intersection with a sign that says I am a thief, I stole from this store.
I saw this again today; usually they are covered up in coats, hoods, etc but with it being 100 degrees today this lady had on regular clothes for everyone to see who she is.

 

[tonilea]

We have a judge that offers this sentence: The shoplifter that gets caught can stand outside the walmart shopping center on the main intersection with a sign that says I am a thief, I stole from this store.
I saw this again today; usually they are covered up in coats, hoods, etc but with it being 100 degrees today this lady had on regular clothes for everyone to see who she is.

I think public humiliation is an awesome sentence, if the person is not too far gone to humiliate. Of course, if I were the judge, I would require the person be fully visible and dressed appropriate for the weather.

 

[FireDancer]

We have a judge that offers this sentence: The shoplifter that gets caught can stand outside the walmart shopping center on the main intersection with a sign that says I am a thief, I stole from this store.
I saw this again today; usually they are covered up in coats, hoods, etc but with it being 100 degrees today this lady had on regular clothes for everyone to see who she is.

I love it. There is a judge in one of the east side suburbs that does these kinds of public sentences.

 

[tonilea]

I wouldn't be against old fashioned stocks on the public square for petty theft and the like.

 

[memster]

I wouldn't be against old fashioned stocks on the public square for petty theft and the like.

Oh how I love that Idea and food throwing too

 

[scrapbookworm]

On Christmas Eve a few years ago, a man ran by me as I was walking out of a WM. Three employees (presumably supervisors or security), tackled him right in front of me.

 

[onelilspark]

I worked retail in HS & College. One day there was a man who walked out with an elderly lady and of course the alarm went off. I knew he was carrying something by the way he was walking (head down and fast) and I was just checking-out the lady, so obviously she had made purchases. I knew I needed to call my manager, but the lady came over to show me that it wasn't her that set off the detector...she bought pens & pencils, so I knew it wasn't her! Next time I looked up, the police were outside with guns drawn! I quickly called my manager and said, "Um, you need to get up here, now!"

Turns out the guy had just stolen from the store next door and their security guy tracked him into our store & called the cops, so they were waiting for him when he came out.

...That was a fun day.

 

[torinsmom]

One of my cousins married a man who ended up being a real bad character. He would actually take his 7 and 8 year old kids to Walmart and "teach" them how to steal! This man is now in prison for killing my cousin, and my aunt has custody of the kids. She did not know he had taught them this until they were in Walmart and her grandson wanted a toy. She said she did not have the money to buy it that week and the boy told her they didn't need to pay for it.He told her the whole story. Very sad.........

 

[JESW]

Well, if it was the store in Woonsocket that is where my SIL got her purse stolen from her cart when she turned her back. We have heard that thieves are also traveling in packs and hunt for victims. Several cars in a local school parking lot were broken into during the day by one of those packs - they smash the windows and grab whatever they can.

Jill

 

[lovesmurfs]

One of my cousins married a man who ended up being a real bad character. He would actually take his 7 and 8 year old kids to Walmart and "teach" them how to steal! This man is now in prison for killing my cousin, and my aunt has custody of the kids. She did not know he had taught them this until they were in Walmart and her grandson wanted a toy. She said she did not have the money to buy it that week and the boy told her they didn't need to pay for it.He told her the whole story. Very sad.........

What a legacy to leave to your children. I'm so sorry for your family.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

When my DS worked at Lowe's they weren't allowed to confront anyone stealing. They let them walk out the door and would contact police with the survellence video. DS figured out how to spot these guys on their way in and would innocently walk out to the parking lot to do "cart roundup". They usually had their buddies waiting in the car for them. He'd then stand by the vehicle, take out a pad of paper and start writing down their license number. Usually that was enough to scare them off.

 

[Arielle22]

I worked at a retail clothing store in downtown Boston as an Area Manager. There was a large security staff who had the power to arrest (special police I believe).

Every day we would see them chasing someone. Frequently we would see the perp walk back to security. I understand after I left one security officer was injured badly. He chased the thief into the connected subway system and was pushed onto the tracks by the thief. He ended up with a badly broken leg and store policy changed to not chasing outside the store.

 

[luvthatdisney]

Just had the same thing happen to me a few weeks ago at Khols. But it was a teenager and I knew security was following her around the store (I only knew that as the security person had worked security at our Wal-mart too). The girl stole some jewelery and ran out as I was leaving the check-out. Managers and other employees along with the security person came running out from all sides of the store. They caught her in the parking lot.

Young girls just do not understand the trouble they will get into by doing that. Probably only stole $50 or so dollars worth of stuff.

 

[DisTeach1]

Yes, I agree...You have definitely been in the wrong places at the wrong times. I have never shopped in my entire life at Burlington Coat Factory and I hate Wal-mart with a passion.

I've never witnessed what you are talking about.