If a credit card or discount card or something like that was used after shoplifting can't they track that information and then look at the footage from before the customer checked out at the register if they have reason to believe they shoplifted before going through the register?
First off they have to have reason to believe there was more theft. If they thought that they would have pressed for tha tinfo at time of arrest. Its very unlikley they will spend hours going through old video.
Panther,
You're awesome - thanks for all the great advice.