What Are The 'Rules' Of Shoplifting?

What are the "rules" of shoplifting? In order to stop a suspect, does a store employee have to see the person select, conceal, and walk away with the item? What happens if one or two of these steps are not seen? Personally, I feel that LP and store employees have the right to check no matter what. Anyway, I would like to know.

For instance, are they allowed to stop the shoplifter on the word of a customer if they didn't see the shoplifter take the item?

Thanks.

Each store is free to set its own rules. The "gold standard" is summarized here.

It is very possible to be convicted of shoplifting if only some of the steps are followed, or for that matter if none are followed. They're not rules to "get away with it" - they're rules to keep stores out of legal trouble and to maximize the odds of conviction.

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Quoting ohiogirl21

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What are the "rules" of shoplifting? In order to stop a suspect, does a store employee have to see the person select, conceal, and walk away with the item?Store polices vary but short answer is yes What happens if one or two of these steps are not seen? Loss Prevention could be in trouble however if the subject actually did stea it isnt likely anything will happen Personally, I feel that LP and store employees have the right to check no matter what. Anyway, I would like to know.

For instance, are they allowed to stop the shoplifter on the word of a customer if they didn't see the shoplifter take the item? Legally yes however Store policy would not appeove of said action

Thanks.

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I hope that helps!
Store polices are not Laws! Do not confuse them with such. As Aaron stated store polices (steps he mentioned) are a means to reduce "bad stops" and Law suits

There are no rules. You can be stopped on a customers word or an associates word.

Be careful if you are going to steal because when you get caught, the penalty you are going to face isn't worth the amount of merchandise you tried to steal.

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Quoting bam!

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There are no rules. You can be stopped on a customers word or an associates word.......

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........and you label me "uneducated"!:rolleyes:

OhioG, stick with what Aaron posted. Bam missed his meds this morning....

This will be unpopular, but I have to agree with bam! on this one.

Anyone can file a warrant for theft against anyone. While working in the grocery business, a store manager went to the magistrates office and filled out the paperwork for larceny after a customer told him their neighbor stole from his store (they gave him all the info).

To mitigate lawsuits, retailers and LP use the six steps that aaron outlined, but I have seen people stop lifters on other peoples words and like bam! said, they got busted, not the wisest thing in my opinion.

The "rules" are not rules as said they are guidelines. Yes a stop can be made with nothing more than the word of another. It is not likely or within most companies policy but it can be done

Most store policies will not allow LP to make a stop on just a customer's word alone. There are rare exceptions when a stop may be made on an associates word, but that depends on their credibility. This is done to prevent bad stops and possible lawsuits. Too often do people try to take advantage of this. I've seen people come in and one of their buddies will tell somebody that they saw someone shoplift and then LP stops that person and they don't have anything on them. What happened was the guy they stopped is actually a friend/relative of the person who told LP he saw them shoplift and then they reap the rewards of the lawsuit or complaint etc etc. Easiest solution to your question, don't worry about the "RULES" of shoplifting, just don't shoplift.

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Quoting LP4Life

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Most store policies will not allow LP to make a stop on just a customer's word alone. There are rare exceptions when a stop may be made on an associates word, but that depends on their credibility. This is done to prevent bad stops and possible lawsuits. Too often do people try to take advantage of this. I've seen people come in and one of their buddies will tell somebody that they saw someone shoplift and then LP stops that person and they don't have anything on them. What happened was the guy they stopped is actually a friend/relative of the person who told LP he saw them shoplift and then they reap the rewards of the lawsuit or complaint etc etc. Easiest solution to your question, don't worry about the "RULES" of shoplifting, just don't shoplift.

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but what if the customer was right? if LP stops the shoplifter, and finds something...will the stop be legit?

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Quoting ohiogirl21

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but what if the customer was right? if LP stops the shoplifter, and finds something...will the stop be legit?

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How can the shoplifter be right if the LP finds he/she did shoplift?