"FOR EVERY ACT OF THEFT THAT IS CAUGHT, 50 TO 60 GO UNDETECTED"

"FOR EVERY ACT OF THEFT THAT IS CAUGHT, 50 TO 60 GO UNDETECTED"

BLUFFING A SHOPLIFTER IS A TACTIC THAT IS COMMONLY USED IN THE L.P. INDUSTRY TO STOP A POTENTIAL THIEF FROM STEALING. THIS TACTIC IS GENERALLY USED WHEN THE AGENT IS NOT TOTALLY SURE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT A PERSON HAS ACTUALLY CONCEALED MERCHANDISE. HOWEVER, BUSINESSES ARE STARTING TO USE THIS TACTIC MORE OFTEN TO SAVE MONEY ON COURT/PROSECUTION COSTS.

BLUFFING A SHOPLIFTER IS JUST LIKE BLUFFING SOMEONE IN A GAME OF POKER. THE LP AGENT FOLLOWS THE SUSPECT AND MAKES THEIR PRESENCE KNOWN BY THE WAY THEY MOVE AND ACT. SOME TACTICS MAY INCLUDE FOLLOWING THE SUSPECT OUT OF THE STORE OR SHOWING OFF YOUR WALKIE-TALKIE, HANDCUFFS, ETC. THE SHOPLIFTER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE LP AGENT HAS OBSERVED AND THE LP AGENT PLAYS ON THAT. THE SHOPLIFTER KNOWS THAT IF THEY WALK PAST THE LAST POINT OF SALE WITH STOLEN MERCHANDISE THAT THEY RUN THE RISK OF GETTING STOPPED. MOST SHOPLIFTERS WOULD RATHER DUMP THE MERCHANDISE THAN TO RUN THE RISK OF GETTING BUSTED. THESE ARE SOME OF JEFF'S STORIES......

"SIMILAC SHOPLIFTING RING" (23)....TOTAL RECOVERY=$109.00

ON THIS DAY OF SURVEILLANCE, I SPOTTED 2 FEMALE SUSPECTS WALK INTO THE STORE WITH SHOPPING CARTS. AS THEY WALKED THROUGH TOYS, THEY QUICK SELECTED A COUPLE OF TOYS WITHOUT PAYING MUCH ATTENTION TO WHAT THEY WERE. FINDING THIS SUSPICIOUS, I STARTED SURVEILLANCE. THE SUSPECTS PROCEEDED TO THE BABY AISLE WHERE THEY FILLED THEIR SHOPPING CARTS WITH LARGE QUANTITIES OF POWDER BABY FORMULA. POWDER BABY FORMULA IS AN ITEM THAT IS OFTEN TARGETED BY SHOPLIFTERS BECAUSE IT IS USED TO CUT COCAINE. THE SUSPECTS PROCEEDED UP THE TOY AISLE IN THE DIRECTION OF MY ONE-WAY MIRROR WHERE I WAS OBSERVING THEM. THE SUSPECTS IMMEDIATELY WENT TO WORK STUFFING THE BABY FORMULA INTO THEIR JACKETS AND A DUFFEL BAG IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CART. I RAN DOWNSTAIRS AND PACED THE SUSPECTS. I CALLED THE NIGHTCREW FOR BACKUP AND THEY ASSITED WITH SURVEILLANCE. THE SUSPECTS RAN AROUND THE STORE REMOVING MERCHANDISE FROM CONCEALMENT AND EVENTUALLY DITCHED THE SHOPPING CART IN THE AISLE AND FLED THE STORE ON FOOT. I RECOVERED THE MERCHANDISE. APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES LATER, I SPOTTED 2 MORE FEMALE SUSPECTS THAT FIT THE SAME DESCRIPTION. THEY IMMEDIATELY PROCEEDED TO THE BABY FOOD AISLE. ON A HUNCH, I STOPPED AT THE END OF THE AISLE AND STARED DIRECTLY AT THEM. THE SUSPECTS WALKED AROUND THE AISLE, WATCHED ME FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND GAVE ME SOME DIRTY LOOKS. THEY EVENTUALLY LEFT THE STORE EMPTY HANDED. I FOLLOWED THE SUSPECTS IN THE PARKING LOT AND THEY ENTERED THE SAME VEHICLE THAT THE 2 PREVIOUS SUSPECTS WERE SEEN GETTING INTO. THE VEHICLE LEFT THE PROPERTY.
"FACE THE MUSIC AND BEGIN TO CRY" (22)....TOTAL RECOVERY=$33.00

AS I WALKED THE SALESFLOOR, I WAS APPROACHED BY A MANAGER AND ADVISED THAT SHE HAD SEEN A LADY (WHO WAS NOW STANDING IN THE CHECKOUT LANE) WITH A BOTTLE OF PILLS AND NOW THE PILLS HAD DISAPPEARED. I WALKED BEHIND THE LADY AND AS I MADE A PASS, I PRESSED THE SQUELCH BUTTON ON MY RADIO WHICH MADE A LOUD NOISE AND CAUSED HER TO TAKE NOTICE OF MY PRESENCE. I PUT ON MY BEST POKER FACE AND STARED AT HER OUT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE. I THEN WALKED BEHIND HER AGAIN TO HER OTHER SIDE AND GAVE HER THE EYE. THE BLUFF WORKED AND SHE BECAME SUSPICIOUS THAT I WAS ON TO HER. SHE TURNED HER CART AROUND AND WALKED BACK INTO THE STORE. AS SHE WALKED UP THE FROZEN FOODS AISLE, SHE BEGAN DIGGING UNDER HER SHIRT AND INTO HER BRA. SHE QUICKLY REMOVED 2 BOTTLES OF PILLS AND AS SHE ROUNDED THE CORNER, SHE DITCHED THEM ON A SHELF. I GRABBED THEM AND CONTINUED THE FLOOR PURSUIT. SHE RUSHED UP THE AISLE AND DUG INTO HER PURSE (WHICH WAS IN THE BABY SEAT). SHE REMOVED A BLACK ANGUS STEAK, A PACKAGE OF HAMBURGER AND AN INSTANT CAMERA AND DITCHED IT ALL IN THE BOTTOM OF HER CART. SHE MADE HER WAY BACK TO THE FRONT OF THE STORE AND I CONTINUED TO BABY SIT HER ALL THE WAY. RIGHT BEFORE SHE WAS ABOUT TO ENTER THE CHECKOUT LANE, SHE TURNED TO ME AND SAID; "ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME, SIR?" I SAID; "NO, NOT PARTICULARLY." SHE ASKED ME WHY I AM IN EVERY AISLE THAT SHE IS IN AND I TOLD HER THAT IT IS JUST COINCIDENCE AND CONTINUED TO STARE AT HER. SHE YELLED AT ME THAT SHE THINKS THAT I AM FOLLOWING HER AND ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO SEARCH HER PURSE. I SAID NO. SHE YELLED AGAIN "WHY ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME?" I REPLIED; "BECAUSE I GET PAID TO WATCH PEOPLE". SHE BECAME MORE MAD AND WENT INTO THE CHECKOUT LANE. SHE CONTINUED TO MAKE A SCENE WITH THE CASHIER AND ANOTHER CUSTOMER BY POINTING OUT THAT SHE WAS BEING FOLLOWED BY SECURITY. I CONTINUED TO STARE AT HER. SHE YELLED AT THE CHECKER; "I DON'T WANT THIS STUFF!" AND RAN TO THE SERVICE DESK. I FOLLOWED HER TO THE DESK AND CONTINUED TO STARE AT HER AS SHE HAD THE SERVICE DESK PERSON PAGE A MANAGER TO THE FRONT. SHE ANGRILY SHOUTED AT THE MANAGER THAT SHE WAS BEING FOLLOWED BY SECURITY AND POINTED ME OUT TO THE MANAGER. SHE TOLD THE MANAGER THAT SHE WANTS SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS. THE MANAGER ASKED THE LADY IF SHE WANTS TO TALK TO ME ABOUT IT AND SHE YELLED "NO... ALL I AM GETTING IS SMART ASS ANSWERS FROM HIM!" THE MANAGER ASKED HER IF SHE WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST ME AND SHE SAID "NO!" THE MANAGER ASKED HER WHAT SHE WANTS DONE AND THE LADY REPLIED "I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT IT!" AND THEN LEFT THE STORE. I APPROACHED THE MANAGER AND PRESENTED HER WITH THE ITEMS THAT THE LADY WAS TRYING TO STEAL. THE MANAGER SAID "GOOD JOB" AND WE BOTH WENT BACK TO WORK.
"STEAL THE AISLE" (21)....TOTAL RECOVERY=$120.00

WHILE WORKING ON SOME PAPERWORK ON THE MANAGER'S OFFICE COMPUTER, I SPOTTED 2 GUYS IN THE LIQUOR AISLE THAT APPEARED TO BE UNDERAGE. ONE OF THE SUSPECTS EYED THE HIGH END TEQUILA AND THE OTHER SUSPECT WAS PLAYING WITH HIS CELL PHONE. I WATCHED ON CAMERA AS THE FIRST GUY SELECTED A BOTTLE OF $40.00 TEQUILA AND SHOWED IT TO HIS ACCOMPLICE. THE ACCOMPLICE WALKED OVER BY THE SUSPECT AND STEPPED IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA VIEW AS IF IT HAD BEEN REHEARSED. THE ACCOMPLICE COMPLETELY BLOCKED MY VIEW AS I SAW THE FIRST BOTTLE DISAPPEAR AND THE SUSPECT REACHED FOR A SECOND BOTTLE OF THE SAME TEQUILA. SINCE I COULD NOT SEE CONCEALMENT, I RAN DOWN TO THE SALESFLOOR AND RAN RIGHT INTO THE AISLE WHILE THE CRIME WAS IN PROGRESS. THE ACCOMPLICE IMMEDIATELY WALKED AWAY AND LEFT THE SUSPECT FACE TO FACE WITH ME. THE ACCOMPLICE ACTED LIKE HE DID NOT KNOW THE SUSPECT. I WALKED RIGHT UP TO THE SUSPECT AND HE WAS HOLDING ONE BOTTLE OF TEQUILA. THE SUSPECT PLACED THE BOTTLE BACK ON THE SHELF. AS I CONTINUED TO WATCH, HE OPENED THE WAISTBAND OF HIS PANTS AND REMOVED A SECOND AND THIRD BOTTLE AND PLACED THEM BACK ON THE SHELF. THE SUSPECT TURNED TO FACE ME AND I SAID "IF I EVER SEE YOU IN MY STORE AGAIN, YOU WILL GO TO JAIL". HE SAID "OKAY, SORRY" AND LEFT THE STORE. THE ACCOMPLICE PURCHASED A 25 CENT BAG OF DORITOS FOR CHARITY AND THEN EXITED AND JOINED THE SUSPECT IN A CAR.
"TOO MUCH JOE" (20)....TOTAL RECOVERY=$65.00

WHILE UP IN THE OFFICE, I RECEIVED A SECURITY PAGE TO THE COFFEE AISLE. I RAN TO THE FRONT OF THE STORE IN TIME WITH THE GROCERY MANAGER. WE BOTH RAN AROUND THE CORNER TO THE COFFEE AISLE AT THE SAME TIME. AS WE DID, A MAN IN THE AISLE DROPPED HIS LARGE DUFFEL BAG THAT WAS FILLED UP WITH OUR COFFEE. THE CANS ROLLED ALL OVER THE FLOOR. THE MANAGER ASKED HIM IF HE DROPPED SOMETHING AND HE SAID "YES". THE SUSPECT WAS EXTREMELY JUMPY AND WIRED ON A STIMULANT. HE FREAKED OUT AND KEPT APOLOGIZING AND SAYING THAT HE WILL PAY FOR THE COFFEE. THE MANAGER TOLD HIM TO FORGOT IT BECAUSE HE IS COMING WITH US TO THE OFFICE. THE SUSPECT PLEADED WITH US TO LET HIM GO AND PULLED A LARGE WAD OF CASH FROM HIS POCKET AND AGAIN OFFERED TO BUY ALL THE COFFEE. SINCE THE SUSPECT DID NOT MAKE IT OUT OF THE STORE, AND THEREFOR WE COULD NOT ARREST HIM, I TOOK THIS OFFER AS AN ADVANTAGE FOR US AND TOLD HIM TO BRING THE COFFEE TO THE FRONT AND PAY FOR IT. THE SUSPECT READILY AGREED AND ACCOMPANIED ME TO SELF CHECKOUT WHERE HE PURCHASED $65.00 WORTH OF COFFEE.
"PAY DAY" (19)....TOTAL RECOVERY=$80.00

I WENT WITH MY BROTHER TO PICK UP HIS PAYCHECK FROM ANOTHER STORE (IN THE COMPANY THAT WE BOTH WORK FOR). AFTER WE WALKED TO THE OFFICE AND HE PICKED UP HIS PAYCHECK, WE WALKED AROUND THE STORE AND AS WE LEFT THE BACKROOM, I SPOTTED A DIRTY, DRUNK, HOMELESS MAN HOLDING A SALES AD. I NUDGED MY BROTHER AND POINTED THE GUY OUT TO HIM. MY BROTHER TOLD ME TO GO AHEAD AND WATCH THE GUY AND HE WOULD GO CASH HIS PAYCHECK. I MAINTAINED OBSERVATION OF THE SUSPECT FROM AN ENDCAP AND WATCHED AS HE QUICK-SELECTED 2 PERFUME GIFT SETS WITH A VALUE OF $80.00. HE WALKED TOWARDS ME AND I HID BEHIND A LARGE FREEZER THAT WE ARE SELLING. HE WALKED OVER 2 AISLES AND HEADED UP THE OFFICE SUPPLIES AISLE. THE SUSPECT CROUCHED DOWN WITH THE MERCHANDISE BEHIND A LARGE SUPPORT BEAM AND SPUN HIS HEAD IN MY DIRECTION JUST AS I WAS WALKING BY LOOKING FOR CONCEALMENT. THE SUSPECT STARED AT ME HARD AND I PROCEEDED TO STARE BACK. THE SUSPECT GRABBED A BINDER FROM THE SHELF AND STARTED ADMIRING IT. WHEN I CONTINUED TO WATCH HIM RELENTLESSLY, HE SLID THE 2 PERFUME GIFT SETS UNDER THE BOTTOM SHELF AND CONTINUED TO ADMIRE THE BINDER. HE WALKED WITH THE BINDER TO THE FRONT OF THE STORE. AT THIS TIME, I SPOTTED THE STORE MANAGER AND CALLED HIM OVER SO HE COULD TAKE A LOOK AT THE SUSPECT. THE SUSPECT LEFT THE BINDER AT THE CASH REGISTER AND LEFT THE STORE EMPTY HANDED. THE MERCHANDISE WAS RECOVERED.
"CRIPPLED FOR SHRIMP" (18)....TOTAL RECOVERY=$84.96

ON THIS DAY OF STORE SURVEILLANCE I SPOTTED A MALE SUSPECT FROM CCTV WITH 2 BAGS OF SHRIMP IN HIS HAND. SINCE I KNEW THAT THESE BAGS OF SHRIMP ARE VERY EXPENSIVE, I RAN TO THE SALESFLOOR AND ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE THE SUSPECT ON FOOT. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF INACTIVITY, I SPOTTED THE SUSPECT WALKING WITH ONLY 1 BAG OF SHRIMP IN HIS HAND. THE SUSPECT WAS WEARING A FULL NECK AND SPINE BRACE THAT RAN FROM HIS NECK DOWN HIS BACK AND WRAPPED AROUND HIS CHEST WITH A DIRTY JACKET COVERING IT. THE SUSPECT APPEARED TO BE HEAVILY WEIGHED DOWN AS HE WALKED. THE SUSPECT LOOKED AT ME SUSPICIOUSLY AS HE WALKED BY AND THEN HEADED UP ANOTHER AISLE. AS HE WALKED UP THE AISLE, HE TURNED HIS BODY AROUND TO SEE WHO WAS BEHIND HIM AND THEN TURNED THE CORNER TO WALK THE MIDDLE AISLE OF THE STORE. I WALKED ALONG THE FRONT END AND LOOKED DOWN EACH AISLE UNSURE OF WHICH AISLE HE WOULD POP UP IN. AS I CAME AROUND THE CORNER, I SPOTTED THE SUSPECT WITH NOTHING IN HIS HANDS AND ZIPPING UP HIS JACKET. UNFORTUNATELY, THE SUSPECT HAD ALSO SPOTTED MY PRESENCE AND ASSUMED THAT I WAS SECURITY. SO HE TURNED AND PROCEEDED BACK INTO THE STORE. REALIZING THAT THERE WAS NO POINT IN TRYING TO COVER THIS UP, I BEGAN BURNING THE SUSPECT OUT BY FOLLOWING BEHIND HIM VERY OBVIOUSLY AND VERY CLOSELY. DESPITE MY FOLLOWING HIM, HE KEPT HIS COOL AND WALKED ALL AROUND THE STORE PRETENDING NOT TO NOTICE ME AND PROBABLY LOOKING FOR A CHANCE TO DITCH THE MERCHANDISE. SINCE I DIDN'T OFFER HIM ANY BREATHING ROOM, HE FINALLY MADE HIS WAY BACK UP FRONT AND WALKED INTO THE BATHROOM. I WAITED 5 MINUTES FOR THE SUSPECT TO EXIT THE BATHROOM AND WHEN HE DID, HE APPEARED TO HAVE LOST A LOT OF WEIGHT. I ENTERED THE BATHROOM RIGHT BEHIND HIM, PULLED THE COVER OFF THE GARBAGE CAN AND FOUND 4 BAGS OF FROZEN SHRIMP INSIDE STILL SEALED TIGHT. I FOLLOWED THE SUSPECT IN THE PARKING LOT AND GOT THE LICENSE PLATE FROM HIS GETAWAY CAR WHICH CONTAINED 2 OTHER SUSPECTS. IT IS UNKNOWN WHETHER THIS SUSPECT ACTUALLY HAD A MEDICAL PURPOSE FOR WEARING THIS BACK BRACE OR IF HE WAS JUST USING IT TO SHOPLIFT.
"BLACK ANGUS BOOST" (17)....TOTAL RECOVERY=$84.00

ON THIS DAY OF STORE SURVEILLANCE, AFTER LEAVING A MEETING WITH THE STORE DIRECTOR, I WALKED TO THE SALES FLOOR WITH HIM. AS I WALKED PAST THE MEAT DEPARTMENT, I SPOTTED A GUY WITH 6 PACKAGES OF BLACK ANGUS STEAKS IN THE BABYSEAT OF HIS CART. SEEING THIS, I WAS PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT THIS WAS A BOOST IN PROGRESS. I CALLED MY PARTNER ON MY CORDLESS PHONE AND HAD HIM GET INTO POSITION AT THE FRONT OF THE STORE. APPARENTLY I LOOKED AT THE SUSPECT A LITTLE TOO HARD BECAUSE HE STARTED WATCHING ME. THE SUSPECT WALKED UP AN AISLE TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE STORE AND I RAN UP 2 AISLES OVER. I WALKED ACROSS THE FRONT END AND THE STORE DIRECTOR WAS NOW WATCHING ME BECAUSE HE FIGURED THAT I MIGHT NEED BACKUP. I STOPPED AT FROZEN FOODS BECAUSE I SPOTTED THE SUSPECT'S CART SITTING THERE UNATTENDED WITH THE STEAKS STILL INSIDE. AS I LOOKED AROUND, I SPOTTED THE SUSPECT WALKING OUT THE SOUTH EXIT VERY QUICKLY WITH NOTHING ON HIM. MY PARTNER TOOK OVER AND FOLLOWED THE SUSPECT TO HIS VEHICLE AND I RECOVERED THE STEAKS AND ADDED THEM UP.
"THE BEST A MAN CAN GET" (16)....TOTAL RECOVERY=$ 110.00

ON THIS DAY OF STORE SURVEILLANCE, I WAS CALLED BY A DEPARTMENT MANAGER AND INFORMED OF A SUSPICIOUS PERSON BY THE RAZOR BLADES (razor blades are common high theft items for drug addicts). I WALKED TO THE AISLE AND SPOTTED A GUY LOOKING AROUND SUSPICIOUSLY. HE WOULD PICK UP A PACKAGE, LOOK AT THEM AND PUT THEM DOWN. WITH ONE LAST LOOK AROUND HE PROCEEDED TO SELECT 10 PACKAGES OF GILLETTE MACH 3 TURBO BLADES AND STACKED THEM UP IN HIS HANDS. HE THEN TURNED AROUND AND CONFIDENTLY WALKED TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE STORE. I STEPPED INTO THE AISLE AND SCOPED HIM OUT AND AS I DID SO, I PAGED OVER THE STORE INTERCOM ON MY CORDLESS PHONE FOR MY BACKUP TO CALL ME. SEEING THIS, THE SUSPECT LOOKED AT ME REAL HARD AND I STARED BACK. HE TURNED AROUND AND WALKED BACK UP THE AISLE TO THE RAZOR BLADES. HE PLACED ALL OF THEM BACK ON THE SHELF AND AS HE WALKED PAST THE DEPARTMENT MANAGER, HE WAS SWEARING UNDER HIS BREATH. HE WALKED UP TO ME, LOOKED AT ME AND SAID "WHAT'S UP, MAN". I JUST KEPT STARING AT HIM AND DID NOT RESPOND. THE SUSPECT WAS SHOWING SIGNS OF BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF CRACK/COCAINE. HE WALKED OUT OF THE STORE AND DID NOT RETURN.
"STEAK BOOST" (15)....TOTAL RECOVERY=$ 125.00

ON THIS DAY OF STORE SURVEILLANCE, I WAS STANDING IN THE BACK OF THE STORE TALKING TO THE STORE MANAGER. AS WE STOOD THERE, I WATCHED A MALE SUSPECT WALK UP BY THE STEAKS AND START SELECTING A LARGE QUANTITY OF BLACK ANGUS STEAKS (A HIGH THEFT ITEM) AND PLACE THEM INTO THE BABY SEAT OF HIS SHOPPING CART. HE WALKED AWAY AND I KNEW THE MEAT HAD TO BE A HIGH DOLLAR AMOUNT, SO I BEGAN OBSERVATION. I FOLLOWED THE SUSPECT ALL OVER THE STORE FROM A DISTANCE. AS HE WALKED IN THE FROZEN FOODS AISLE, I WATCHED AS HE BEGAN CONCEALING THE PACKAGES OF MEAT DOWN HIS PANTS, IN HIS JACKET AND DOWN HIS SLEEVES. I STEPPED IN THE AISLE AND WATCHED HIM CLOSELY AS I CALLED FOR BACK UP. THE MANAGER ARRIVED IMMEDIATELY AND THE SUSPECT MADE IT UP FRONT WITH HIS EYES ALL OVER ME. HE WALKED OVER TO A SNACK AISLE AND WALKED DOWN IT. THE MANAGER WALKED UP BEHIND HIM AND I WALKED IN FRONT OF HIM. BOTH OF US STARED AT HIM CONTINUOUSLY. THE SUSPECT PROCEEDED TO UNLOAD THE MERCHANDISE RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME THAT WAS CONCEALED IN HIS CLOTHES. HE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID "I DON'T LIKE USING SHOPPING CARTS". I REPLIED "YEAH, I CAN SEE YOUR JACKET IS WORKING A LOT BETTER". HE SAID "DO YOU WORK HERE?" AND I REPLIED "THAT'S WHAT THE NAME TAG SAYS". AFTER UNLOADING ALL OF THE MERCHANDISE, THE SUSPECT EXITED THE STORE AND DID NOT RETURN. ALL OF THE MERCHANDISE WAS RECOVERED.
"ANTACIDS ANYBODY??" (14)....TOTAL RECOVERY=$ 276.00

ON THIS DAY OF STORE SURVEILLANCE, I WAS WATCHING THE SALESFLOOR FROM THE SECURITY OFFICE THROUGH THE ONE-WAY MIRROR THAT OVERSEES THE STORE. I OBSERVED A MALE SUSPECT ENTER THE MEDICINE AISLE AND BEGIN LOOKING AROUND VERY SUSPICIOUSLY. AS I CONTINUED TO WATCH, HE PICKED UP ONE BOX OF PEPCID AC AND DROPPED IT IN HIS CART. HE CONTINUED TO BE ALERT AND WATCH TO MAKE SURE NOBODY WAS IN THE AISLE AND THEN HE TOOK ANOTHER BOX OF PEPCID AC AND ADDED IT TO HIS CART. WITH ONE FINAL LOOK AROUND, THE SUSPECT BEGAN WIPING OUT THE ENTIRE SHELF OF PEPCID AC. HE USED 2 HANDS AND GRABBED AS MANY BOXES AS HE COULD AND TOSSED THEM IN HIS CART. I RAN DOWN THE STAIRS AND CALLED FOR BACK-UP ON MY CORDLESS PHONE. AS I CAUGHT UP IN THE AISLES, THE SUSPECT WAS IN THE PAPER TOWEL AISLE AND COVERED THE MEDICINE WITH 2 BIG PACKAGES OF PAPER TOWELS. THE SUSPECT WAS CREATING WHAT WE IN L.P. COMMONLY CALL, A "SET-UP CART". THIS IS A CART WITH MERCHANDISE TO BE STOLEN, SUCH AS PEPCID AC, COVERED BY LARGER ITEMS, SUCH AS PAPER TOWELS OR CASES OF SODA. THE SHOPLIFTER WILL THEN WALK OUT OF THE STORE JUST LIKE THAT AND NOBODY WILL LOOK TWICE AT HIM BECAUSE PAPER TOWELS AND SODA CASES ARE TOO LARGE TO FIT IN A BAG. AS THE SUSPECT PROCEEDED TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE STORE, MY BACK UP ARRIVED AND THE 2 OF US STOOD THERE AND STARED AT HIM. THE SUSPECT BEGAN TO REALIZE THAT HE WAS BEING WATCHED AND WALKED AROUND FOR A WHILE IN AN ATTEMPT TO LOSE US. WE HELD OUR GROUND AND THE SUSPECT KNEW THAT HE WAS SPOTTED. THE SUSPECT WALKED BACK TO THE MEDICINE AISLE AND LEFT THE SHOPPING CART IN THE AISLE. HE WALKED UP FRONT AND PROCEEDED OUTSIDE OF THE STORE. THE SUSPECT DID NOT RETURN.
LIQUOR BOOST (13)....TOTAL RECOVERY=$ 80.00

ON THIS DAY OF STORE SURVEILLANCE, I WAS CONTACTED BY AN ASSISTANT MANAGER. SHE INFORMED ME THAT 2 GUYS HAD JUST LEFT THE LIQUOR DEPARTMENT WITH 2 BOTTLES OF HYPNOTIQ (HIGH COST BOTTLES) AND WERE HEADING TO THE GROCERY SIDE. I SPOTTED THE SUSPECTS IN THE MIDDLE AISLE AND OBSERVED THAT NOT ONLY DID THE DUO HAVE THE 2 HYPNOTIQ BOTTLES, BUT ALSO A BOTTLE OF GREY GOOSE VODKA (HIGH COST/HIGH THEFT). I FOLLOWED THE SUSPECTS UNDERCOVER AND MAINTAINED DISTANCE. AFTER MAKING A LAP OF THE STORE, THEY NEARED THE FRONT AND STARTED LOOKING AT THE EXIT SUSPICIOUSLY. SINCE I DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE ANY CHANCES WITH LOSING THIS EXPENSIVE MERCHANDISE, I QUICKLY BLEW MY COVER BY UNZIPPING MY JACKET EXPOSING MY NAME TAG AND STARING DIRECTLY AT THE SUSPECTS. IN NO TIME, THEY SPOTTED ME AND WALKED BACK UP THE AISLE TOWARDS THE BACK. I CALLED THE GROCERY MANAGER FOR BACKUP AND ADVISED HIM OF THE SITUATION. HE ARRIVED IMMEDIATELY TO ASSIST. I NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE SUSPECTS HANDED OFF THE BASKET TO THE OTHER ONE AND THEY SPLIT UP. THE FIRST SUSPECT WAS PLAYING DECOY AND WAS WALKING TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE STORE WITH NOTHING BUT A BAG OF CHIPS. THE MANAGER AND I RAN DIRECTLY AT THE GUY WITH THE CHIPS AND THEN SPLIT UP IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS TO GO AFTER THE GUY WITH THE BOOZE. I RAN UP COSMETICS AND ENDED UP RUNNING RIGHT INTO THE GUY WITH THE BOOZE. HE ASKED ME IF EVERYTHING WAS OKAY AND ASKED ME WHY I WAS RUNNING. I TOLD HIM THAT I NEED SOME EXERCISE AND HE LAUGHED. HE THEN STATED THAT I DON'T NEED TO FOLLOW HIM AROUND BECAUSE HE ISN'T GOING TO STEAL ANYTHING. I TOLD HIM THAT I GET PAID TO WATCH PEOPLE. WE STARTED WALKING TOWARDS THE FRONT AND HE WAS ASKING IF I SAW HIS BUDDY AROUND. I PLAYED DUMB AND ASKED HIM WHO HE WAS REFERRING TO. AT THIS TIME WE WERE AT THE FRONT OF THE STORE AND THE MANAGER HAD CAUGHT UP WITH US. THE SUSPECT SAID HE IS LOOKING FOR THE GUY HE WAS SHOPPING WITH BECAUSE HE HAS ALL THE MONEY. THE MANAGER POINTED OUT THAT THE SUSPECT'S BUDDY WAS PAYING FOR THE CHIPS IN CHECKOUT 3. THE SUSPECT SQUINTED HIS EYES TO LOOK AND THEN TOLD ME THAT ACTUALLY THERE IS A THIRD GUY AND HE HAS ALL THE MONEY. I JUST STARED AT THE SUSPECT WITH MY ARMS FOLDED. THE SUSPECT CONTINUED TO BABBLE OFF HIS RIDICULOUS STORY ABOUT AN INVISIBLE THIRD MAN WHO HAS ALL THE MONEY UNTIL I FINALLY JUST STOPPED HIM MID SENTENCE. I ASKED THE SUSPECT IF HE WOULD LIKE ME TO PUT THE MERCHANDISE BACK ON THE SHELF FOR HIM AND HE SAID YES. HE THEN WALKED AWAY AND STATED ONE LAST TIME THAT HE WAS NOT GOING TO STEAL. I STOOD THERE AND DISCUSSED THE SITUATION WITH THE MANAGER AND THE SUSPECT MET UP WITH HIS BUDDY AND THEN WENT TO LEAVE. HOWEVER, THEY STOPPED BEFORE GOING TO THE EXIT AND APPROACHED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DESK. THE SUSPECT ASKED THE FRONT END MANAGER IF HE COULD SPEAK TO THE HEAD OF SECURITY. MUCH TO HIS DISMAY, SHE POINTED THE SUSPECT BACK TO ME AND SAID "THERE HE IS"! THE SUSPECT APPROACHED ME AND SAID THAT HE JUST WANTS TO KNOW WHY I WAS FOLLOWING HIM. I REPEATED AGAIN THAT I GET PAID TO WATCH PEOPLE. HE STATED THAT I ONLY WATCH PEOPLE OF A CERTAIN RACE. I TOLD HIM THAT, THAT IS ENTIRELY NOT TRUE. THE SUSPECT SHOOK HIS HEAD AND LEFT THE STORE COLD HANDED.
"MEAT IN THE JACKET" (12)....TOTAL RECOVERY=$ 34.00

ON THIS DAY OF STORE SURVEILLANCE, I CAME ACROSS A SUSPICIOUS MAN IN THE MEAT MARKET WHO WAS LOOKING ALL OVER. I HID BEHIND A RACK AND STARTED SURVEILLANCE. I WATCHED AS HE PICKED UP A STEAK AND A PACKAGE OF PORK CHOPS. HE THEN WENT TO THE FISH MARKET AND PICKED UP A PACKAGE OF FRESH FISH. HE THEN WALKED TO THE LUNCH AREA AND SELECTED A PACKAGE OF BACON. I WATCHED AS HE WALKED UP THE FROZEN FOODS AISLE WITH THE MEAT TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE STORE. AS HE NEARED THE FRONT, HE TOOK A LOOK AROUND AND BEGAN CONCEALING THE MEAT 1 PACKAGE AT A TIME INTO HIS JACKET. I STARTED WALKING UP THE AISLE AND HE TURNED AROUND WITH ONLY THE BACON IN HIS HAND. I WALKED RIGHT PAST HIM AND HE THEN WALKED BACK DOWN THE AISLE AND THEN TURNED DOWN THE CENTER AISLE. I LOST HIM FOR A BRIEF MOMENT AND THEN WALKED RIGHT INTO THE AISLE HE WAS IN AS HE WAS STUFFING THE BACON IN HIS JACKET. REALIZING THAT I WAS SECURITY, HE REMOVED THE MEAT AND THEN WALKED DOWN AN AISLE. I STOOD 5 FEET AWAY FROM HIM AND WATCHED HIM. HE PRETENDED TO LOOK NORMAL, BUT I CONTINUED TO BABYSIT HIM. HE STARTED WALKING AGAIN AND I FOLLOWED. HE REMOVED HIS WALLET AND CHECKED HIS MONEY. HE THEN PLACED THE PACKAGE OF BACON BACK ON ITS DISPLAY. I WALKED BEHIND HIM AND PICKED IT UP. HE TURNED AROUND AND LOOKED AT ME. I TOLD HIM THAT I KNOW HE'S NOT PLANNING ON BUYING ANYTHING TONIGHT, SO I TOLD HIM TO GIVE ME THE MEAT. HE SAID THAT HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY HE HAS. I TOLD HIM AGAIN TO GIVE ME THE MEAT AND GET OUT OF THE STORE. HE STARED AT ME FOR A MINUTE AND THEN HANDED ME THE MEAT AND LEFT THE STORE.
BOOZE RUN (11)....TOTAL RECOVERY=$ 62.00

ON THIS DAY OF STORE SURVEILLANCE, I OBSERVED A LADY AND A GUY PLACING 3 CASES OF BUDWEISER AND A BOTTLE OF SEAGRAMS IN A SHOPPING CART. THEY EXITED THE DEPARTMENT AND STARTED TOWARDS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORE. AS THEY TURNED DOWN THE HALLMARK AISLE, I NOTICED THE LADY PEER AROUND THE CORNER AT ME. I ASKED A STORE SUPERVISOR TO WATCH 2 OTHER GUYS THAT I WAS TRACKING AND STARTED TOWARDS THE HALLMARK AISLE. AS I APPROACHED, I SAW THEM RUNNING IN MY DIRECTION WITH THE SHOPPING CART. THIS WAS ALSO A DIRECT PATH TO THE EXIT. AS THEY SAW ME, THEY QUICKLY PULLED THE CART TO A STOP. THE LADY TRIED TO PUT ON A SHOW TO EXPLAIN THEIR ODD BEHAVIOR. SHE WALKED TOWARDS THE EXIT WHERE THERE WAS SOME CLEARANCE MERCHANDISE AND QUICKLY SELECTED 2 GIFT WRAPPING ITEMS AND ADDED THEM TO THE CART. THEY TURNED BACK IN TO THE STORE AND BEGAN SETTING UP AGAIN. I WAS WATCHING THEM LIKE A HAWK. I TRACKED THEM, ALL THE WAY TO THE GROCERY SIDE WHERE THEY LEFT THE CART IN AISLE 2 AND EXITED THE STORE EMPTY HANDED. THE MERCHANDISE WAS RECOVERED.
GREY GOOSE RUN (10)....TOTAL RECOVERY=$ 150

ON THIS DAY OF STORE SURVEILLANCE, I SPOTTED A GUY PEER AROUND ONE OF THE BACK AISLES SUSPICIOUSLY. HE FOUND HIMSELF MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH ME. HE LOOKED AWAY AND KEPT WALKING PULLING A SHOPPING CART FULL OF GREY GOOSE VODKA (ONE OF OUR HIGHEST THEFT LIQUORS).WHEN I SAW THIS, I IMMEDIATELY CAUGHT UP WITH HIM. HE KNEW I WAS FOLLOWING HIM AND WALKED INTO AN AISLE WHERE HE ADMIRED SOME MERCHANDISE. I STAYED THERE AND WATCHED, NOT LETTING HIM OUT OF MY SIGHT FOR A MINUTE. I CONTACTED THE STORE MANAGER WITH MY CORDLESS PHONE AND REQUESTED BACK UP. THE STORE MANAGER WALKED DOWN AND TOLD ME TO STEP AWAY AND HE WOULD TAKE OVER SURVEILLANCE SINCE THE GUY HAD NOT YET SEEN HIM. I DID THAT AND THE GUY DID NOT MOVE. HOWEVER, HE WAS STILL SUSPICIOUS AND LEFT THE SHOPPING CART IN THE AISLE. I STAYED WITH THE PRODUCT AND THE MANAGER FOLLOWED THE SUSPECT AS HE WALKED ALL THE WAY TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORE AND EXITED THROUGH THE ENTRANCE. THE PRODUCT WAS RECOVERED.
CART RUN (9)....TOTAL RECOVERY=$180.00

ON THIS DAY OF STORE SURVEILLANCE, I SAW A MAN OUTSIDE OF THE STORE. HE APPEARED TO BE LOITERING. IN THIS AREA, WE WILL OFTEN TIMES GET PEOPLE WHO BEG FOR MONEY OR TRY TO SELL THEIR FOOD STAMPS SO I DECIDED TO GO AROUND FOR A CLOSER LOOK. AS I DID SO, HE SUDDENLY TURNED AROUND AND ENTERED THE STORE. HE THEN PULLED A SHOPPING CART CLOSER TO THE ENTRANCE AND THEN SPOTTED ME LOOKING AT HIM. HE EXITED AGAIN THROUGH THE ENTRANCE DOOR. I WALKED OVER AND LOOKED AT HIS CART. IT WAS JAM PACKED FULL WITH JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING. IT HAD MOSTLY FOOD ITEMS, AMONGST OTHER VARIOUS ITEMS SUCH AS A BIG FAN AND SODA CASES. I WALKED AWAY HOWEVER CONTINUING TO WATCH. HE REENTERED THE STORE AND GRABBED THE CART. HE WALKED ACROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORE. HE WENT NEAR THE OTHER EXIT THIS TIME. I CALLED FOR BACKUP AND WE EXITED RIGHT WHERE HE WOULD BE COMING OUT. HE THEN WALKED OUT, BUT WITHOUT HIS CART. HE LOOKED AT US AND THEN WENT BACK INSIDE. HE GRABBED HIS CART AND WALKED AROUND THE STORE FOR A LITTLE BIT AND I LOST HIM IN THE BUSY STORE. AS THE STORE SUPERVISOR AND I CONTINUED TO LOOK FOR THIS GUY. THE SUPERVISOR SUDDENLY YELLED AT ME TO TURN AROUND. DOING THIS, I SAW THE SUSPECT TRYING TO SNEAK OUT OF ONE OF THE EXITS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FRONT LANES. I WALKED TOWARDS HIM. THE SUSPECT DID NOT MAKE IT FAR ENOUGH FOR ME TO MAKE AN APPREHENSION. THE SUSPECT THEN STOPPED AND ASKED AN ASSOCIATE ABOUT SOME ROCK SALT THAT WAS LAYING NEAR THE EXIT. HE TURNED AROUND AND SET UP AGAIN BY THE ENTRANCE. HE THEN WALKED OUTSIDE AND STOOD THERE WATCHING THE SUPERVISOR AND MYSELF AND TRYING TO WAIT US OUT. REALIZING THAT I WASN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO APPREHEND THIS GUY, I WALKED OVER AND GRABBED HIS CART THAT WAS SET UP BY THE DOOR. HE LOOKED AT ME FROM OUTSIDE AND I WAVED TO HIM AS I WALKED AWAY WITH HIS CART. THE STORE SUPERVISOR WENT OUTSIDE AND THE SUSPECT TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS WAITING FOR HIS WIFE AND THEN HE WOULD BUY THE GROCERIES. WHEN THE SUPERVISOR CAME BACK INSIDE, THE SUSPECT FLED THE SCENE.
FORMULA BOOST (8)....TOTAL RECOVERY=$420.00

ON THIS DAY OF STORE SURVEILLANCE, I WAS WALKING THE STORE WITH MY PARTNER AND WE WERE BRINGING EACH OTHER UP TO SPEED WITH THE STORES CURRENT EVENTS. AS WE WALKED, I SPOTTED A MAN WEARING A 3-PIECE SUIT. I NOTED THAT IN HIS CART, HE HAD AN OPEN RUBBERMADE TOTE. JUDGING BY HIS DRESS CODE AND THE FACT THAT HE HAD THIS TOTE IN HIS CART THAT HE HAD JUST SELECTED FROM THE AISLE, THIS SUGGESTED TO ME THAT HE WAS A PROFESSIONAL SHOPLIFTER. I TOLD MY PARTNER, BUT HE WAS IN A HURRY TO GET GOING. THE GUY STARTED FOLLOWING ME BECAUSE HE HAD SPOTTED ME LOOKING AT HIM. I WALKED WITH MY PARTNER UP FRONT CONTINUING TO TALK TO HIM, BUT MAINTAINING CONSTANT OBSERVATION OF THIS GUY. THE GUY FOLLOWED US AND STOOD IN LINE RIGHT BEHIND US. HE STOOD INTENTLY FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES AS MY PARTNER AND I TALKED. HE THEN TURNED AROUND AND HEADED TOWARDS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORE. I TOOK THIS TO BE MY CUE AND I FOLLOWED. I LOST HIM IN THE AISLES, BUT HAVING DEALT WITH THESE PROS BEFORE, I WAS PRETTY SURE THAT HE WAS GOING TO HEAD FOR THE BABY FORMULA AISLE. SURE ENOUGH, HE STOOD THERE LOOKING OVER THE FORMULA. I STOOD AT THE END OF THE AISLE AND HID BEHIND THE BASEBALL CARDS CASE. I WATCHED AS HE PROCEEDED TO FILL THE TOTE TO THE TOP WITH BABY FORMULA. WHILE CONTINUING TO WATCH, I CONTACTED THE OPERATIONS MANAGER (WHO HAS HELPED ME WITH PREVIOUS APPREHENSIONS) AND ADVISED HIM OF THE SITUATION. THE SUSPECT WALKED UP THE AISLE AND THEN STOPPED WHILE FACING MY DIRECTION. HE SQUINTED HIS EYES AND LOOKED RIGHT THROUGH THE PLEXI GLASS CARD CASE AND SPOTTED ME HIDING THERE. I IMMEDIATELY BACKED OFF AND HE TRIED NOT TO LOOK TO SURPRISED. HE WALKED UP FRONT AND I STAYED BACK. THE O.M. WAITED OUTSIDE WE COMMUNICATED V.I.A. CORDLESS PHONES. THE MAN WALKED UP FRONT AND STOOD IN LINE. HE HAD HIS EYES ALL OVER ME. RATHER THAN TAKING THE CHANCE OF THIS S.O.B. GETTING AWAY. I STOOD GUARD AND STARED AT HIM. THE O.M. CAME IN AND JOINED ME IN THE STARING GAME. WE BOTH KNEW THAT THERE WAS NO WAY THAT HE WOULD PURCHASE IT ALL, SO WE CALLED HIS BLUFF. AFTER PLAYING OUR GAME FOR A LITTLE WHILE. HE ALLOWED A CUSTOMER TO PASS HIM IN THE CHECKOUT. HE CONTINUED TO PLAY THE GAME AND THEN GRADUALLY LET 2 MORE CUSTOMERS PASS HIM. FINALLY, HE GAVE UP AND QUICKLY EXITED THE STORE LEAVING THE MERCHANDISE IN THE CHECKOUT. I IMMEDIATELY RUSHED THE CHECKOUT LANE AND SECURED THE MERCHANDISE. THE O.M. FOLLOWED HIM OUTSIDE AND WROTE DOWN THE GETAWAY DRIVER'S LICENSE PLATE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
GYPSY THIEF (7)...TOTAL RECOVERY=$155.00

ON THIS DAY OF STORE SURVEILLANCE, I OBSERVED A FEMALE WHO WAS I RECOGNIZED TO BE A GYPSY HEADING TOWARDS THE EXIT OF THE STORE WITH TWO JAM PACKED HAND BAGS. I QUICKLY MADE EYE CONTACT WITH HER AND THEN FOLLOWED HER AS SHE WENT FOR THE EXIT. AS SHE WAS ABOUT TO EXIT, SHE STOPPED AND BEGAN TO INVESTIGATE ME. I STOOD AND SILENTLY BLOCKED OFF THE EXIT. SHE SAT DOWN IN THE CUSTOMER WAITING AREA AND PRETENDED TO BE WAITING. SHE THEN STOOD UP AND STARTED HEADING FOR THE OTHER EXIT. I BRISKLY WALKED BEHIND HER AND THEN CUT IN FRONT OF HER. I STOOD AGAIN, AS IF WAITING FOR HER TO EXIT THE STORE SO THAT I COULD CONFRONT HER FOR THEFT. SINCE SHE DIDN'T KNOW IF I WOULD GRAB HER OR NOT, SHE SAT DOWN AGAIN. SHE THEN TRIED THE OTHER EXIT AGAIN AND I FOLLOWED HER AGAIN. ONCE AGAIN, SHE SAT DOWN IN THE CUSTOMER WAITING AREA. SHE THEN STOOD UP AND WALKED TO THE DRUG STORE SIDE OF THE BUILDING. I FOLLOWED HER CLOSELY AND MADE HER VERY NERVOUS. SHE THEN PLACED THE BAGS ON THE FLOOR BY THE ASSOCIATE WHO WAS ON THE CASH REGISTER. SHE TOLD HER THAT SHE WOULD BE OUTSIDE USING THE PHONE FOR A MINUTE. AS SOON AS SHE WALKED OUTSIDE, I WENT OVER AND CHECKED THE BAGS. I FOUND LOTS OF GROCERIES AND MEDICINE INSIDE THAT BELONGED TO OUR STORE. WHEN I WALKED BACK TO LOOK FOR HER, SHE HAD FLED THE SCENE LEAVING HER HANDBAGS IN OUR CUSTODY. ALL OF THE MERCHANDISE WAS RECOVERED AND I EVEN FOUND HER DIARY INSIDE THE HANDBAGS. HER DIARY MADE HER SOUND SUICIDAL AND SHE HAD SOME VERY SERIOUS ISSUES.

FORMULA THIEF (6)....TOTAL RECOVERY=$430.00)

ON THIS DAY OF STORE SURVEILLANCE, I OBSERVED A MAN WALKING DOWN THE MAIN AISLE WITH A BIG BIN IN HIS SHOPPING CART. THE BIN WAS COVERED, PREVENTING A VIEW OF THE INSIDE. THIS ALWAYS MADE ME SUSPICIOUS BECAUSE I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS SITUATIONS WHERE A SHOPLIFTER WILL FILL UP THE BIN AND WALK OUT WITH IT. AS I FOLLOWED, HE TURNED AND STARTED HEADING TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE STORE. SINCE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE HAD IN THE BIN OR IF HE HAD ANYTHING, I DECIDED TO DETER HIM. AS HE HEADED UP, I MET HIM AT THE FRONT OF HIS AISLE AND MADE SOME LOUD NOISE WITH MY WALKIE TALKIE. AS HE CAME UP, I STARED AT HIM. HE THEN WALKED OVER AND STARTED COMPARING PRICES ON BATTERIES. AFTER CLOSE AND CAREFUL COMPARISON WITH ME STANDING BY HIM THE WHOLE TIME, HE PURCHASED ONE PACK OF BATTERIES. WHEN HE MADE NO ATTEMPT TO PURCHASE THE BIN IN HIS SHOPPING CART, I FOLLOWED HIM TO THE FRONT OF THE STORE. HE CONTINUED TO LOOK BEHIND AND WATCH ME. HE THEN ENTERED A CHECKOUT LANE. I STOOD AT THE END OF THE CHECKOUT LANE AND CONTINUED TO WATCH HIM. HE THEN OPENED UP HIS BIN AND SHOWED THE CASHIER THAT HE HAD 40 CANS OF BABY FORMULA IN THE BIN. THE CASHIER, A LITTLE SHOCKED, RANG HIM UP. WHEN NONE OF THE CREDIT CARDS THAT HE PRESENTED WORKED, HE SAID HE WOULD COME BACK LATER WITH A CHECK. HE WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN.
HUNGRY THIEF (5)...(TOTAL RECOVERY=$14.00)

ON THIS DAY OF STORE SURVEILLANCE, I CAME ACROSS A MAN WITH AN OPEN BACKPACK. I DECIDED TO FOLLOW HIM FOR AWHILE AND SEE WHERE HE WAS GOING. AS I STARTED TO PACE HIM, I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER MAN BEHIND ME WHO WAS ALSO WALKING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. THE OTHER MAN WAS ALSO DRESSED SIMILARLY TO THE GUY WITH THE BACKPACK AS THEY BOTH APPEARED TO BE HOMELESS. I DECIDED TO STAND BACK AND SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THE GUY WITH THE BACKPACK ENTERED THE MARKET AND GRABBED A PACKAGE OF STEAKS. HE WALKED AROUND AND LOOKED AROUND A LITTLE BIT. THE OTHER GUY WALKED UP AND THEY DIDN'T MAKE EYE CONTACT. THE GUY WITH THE BACKPACK PASSED OFF THE STEAKS TO THE OTHER GUY AND STILL THEY DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE EACH OTHER. THEY BOTH WALKED IN SEPARATE DIRECTIONS AND THEN REUNITED AS THEY WALKED DOWN THE SAME AISLE. I RAN TO CATCH UP TO THEM AND AS I ENTERED THE AISLE, I SAW THE SECOND GUY WITH HIS HAND IN THE OTHER GUY'S BACKPACK. I KNEW THAT THEY PROBABLY HAD THE STEAK IN THE BACKPACK, BUT WAS CONCERNED THAT IT COULD ALSO BE A SETUP TO GET ME TO MAKE A BAD STOP. I WALKED DOWN THE AISLE AND ASKED EACH OF THEM IF I COULD HELP THEM FIND ANYTHING. THEY BOTH SAID "NO" AND WALKED IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. I STARTED TO PACE THE GUY WITH THE BACKPACK. HE STARTED WALKING FASTER AND I KEPT HIS PACE. WE WALKED DOWN SEVERAL AISLES AND AS HE NOTICED ME FOLLOWING HIM, HE STARTED TO SLIDE HIS BACKPACK DOWN HIS SHOULDER. I STARTED TO MAKE HIM SWEAT AS I CONTINUED TO KEEP HIS PACE AND DIDN'T GIVE HIM AN INCH. AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE OF STAYING ON HIM, I FINALLY ALLOWED HIM A LITTLE BIT OF SPACE HE QUICKLY TURNED BACK TOWARDS ME AND HAD THE STEAK IN HIS HAND. HE WALKED UP TO ME AND HANDED ME THE STEAK. HE INFORMED THAT HIS FRIEND WOULD PAY FOR IT. I THANKED HIM FOR TAKING MY MERCHANDISE OUT OF HIS BACKPACK. HE SAID HE WAS SORRY AND IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. HE LEFT THE STORE.
STOCKROOM THIEF (4)...(TOTAL RECOVERY=UNKNOWN DOLLAR AMOUNT)

ON THIS DAY OF STORE SURVEILLANCE, I WAS PATROLLING THE FRONT AREA WHEN I CAME ACROSS A MALE SUBJECT WALKING QUICKLY. AS I MADE EYE CONTACT, I NOTICED THAT HE DEVELOPED A SCARED LOOK ACROSS HIS FACE. I FOUND THIS RATHER SUSPICIOUS AND I TURNED AROUND AND FOLLOWED HIM A LITTLE BIT. HE LOOKED BEHIND HIM AND SAW ME FOLLOWING. HE QUICKENED HIS PACE AND TURNED BACK IN TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE STORE. I KEPT HIS PACE AND WE WALKED THROUGH A CENTER AISLE THAT CROSSED THROUGH THE INTIMATE APPARELS DEPARTMENT. AS WE WALKED BY, HE QUICKLY REMOVED A BOX FROM HIS JACKET AND THROUGH IT ON TOP OF A STACK OF OTHER BOXES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AISLE. HE THEN EXITED THE STORE. THE BOXES WERE INTIMATE APPARELS MERCHANDISE THAT WERE ON THE SALES FLOOR ON A PALLET WAITING TO BE WORKED INTO THE STORE. THE MAN HAD APPARENTLY CONCEALED AND TRIED TO MAKE OFF WITH A BOX OF BIKINIS. THIS GUY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT IF HE WASN'T SO SLOPPY. ANOTHER GREAT RECOVERY.
FITTING ROOM STEAL (3)....TOTAL RECOVERY ($58.00)

ON THIS DAY OF STORE SURVEILLANCE, I SPOTTED A SUSPICIOUS MAN IN THE SPORTS APPAREL DEPARTMENT. I WATCHED AS HE SELECTED 3 PAIRS OF NIKE AND ADIDAS SHORTS. HE ENTERED THE FITTING ROOM AND EXITED WITH ONE PAIR. HE QUICKLY GRABBED SEVERAL MORE PAIRS AND THEN EXITED AND THEN REENTERED AGAIN. I QUICKLY RAN TO THE SALES FLOOR AND POSED UNDERCOVER. HE CONTINUED THIS GAME OF ENTERING AND LEAVING REPEATEDLY AND FINALLY LEFT ME CONFUSED AS TO WHAT HE HAD ON. HE STARTED HEADING UP FRONT AND I FOLLOWED. AS HE STARTED TO HEAD FOR THE DOOR, I WALKED REALLY CLOSELY AND STARED AT HIM. HE TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK INSIDE. HE STARTED A BRISK WALK AND HEADED TO THE BACK OF THE STORE. HE WALKED AROUND THE BACK OF THE STORE AND THEN STARTED TOWARD THE OTHER DOOR. AS HE MADE THE APPROACH, I STARTED FOLLOWING HIM AGAIN. HE FREAKED AGAIN AND WENT BACK INSIDE. THIS TIME HE HEADED TOWARD THE FITTING ROOM. I FOLLOWED HIM. AS HE WENT BACK INSIDE, I WAITED FOR HIM OUTSIDE. HE QUICKLY REMOVED HIS JEANS AND PULLED 6 PAIRS OF SPORTS SHORT THAT WERE LAYERED UNDERNEATH AND LEFT THEM ON THE BENCH. HE THEN WALKED OUT AND LEFT. I FOLLOWED HIM OUTSIDE OF THE STORE AND THE MERCHANDISE WAS RECOVERED.
HEAVY STEAL (2)....(TOTAL RECOVERY=$650.00)

ON THIS DAY OF STORE SURVEILLANCE, I SPOTTED A MAN CARRYING A BIG DUFFEL BAG. THE BAG LOOKED TO BE JAM PACKED FULL WITH SOMETHING. HE ALSO LOOKED LIKE HE WAS HAVING TROUBLE CARRYING IT. HE WALKED TOWARD THE EXIT DOORS AND WAS RATHER CLOSE TO THE SECURITY OFFICE. HE WAS LOOKING OUTSIDE (POSSIBLY TRYING TO SPOT A GETAWAY CAR). HE WALKED UP TOWARDS THE EXIT. SINCE I DID NOT HAVE PROBABLE CAUSE TO MAKE A STOP, I RAN OUT RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM. HE LOOKED AT ME FUNNY AND THEN AT THE DOOR. I ZIPPED UP MY JACKET AND ALSO LOOKED AT THE DOOR. HE TURNED AROUND AND STARTED A BRISK WALK TOWARDS THE OTHER DOORS. I RAN AFTER HIM TO THE OTHER SIDE AND JUMPED OUT AT HIM AGAIN BEFORE HE COULD EXIT. HE LOOKED AT ME AGAIN AND DROPPED THE DUFFEL BAG ON THE FLOOR. HE RAN OUT OF THE STORE AND JUMPED INTO A CAR THAT WAS WAITING IN THE FIRE LANE. THE DUFFEL BAG WAS FROM OUR STOCK AND IT WAS JAM PACKED WITH 17 PAIRS OF MEN'S JEANS.
BEACH SHOES (1)...(TOTAL RECOVERY=$60.00)

ON THIS DAY OF STORE SURVEILLANCE, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM AN ASSOCIATE. THE ASSOCIATE INFORMED ME THAT THEIR WAS A GUY IN THE STORE THAT SHE HAD SEEN PLACING SEVERAL PAIRS OF BEACH SHOES INTO A STORE BAG. I IMMEDIATELY TRIED PICKING HIM UP ON CAMERA. THE GUY WAS WALKING WITH THE BAG AND BY ZOOMING IN, I COULD SEE THAT IT WAS FULL OF BEACH SHOES. SINCE I CANNOT TAKE ANOTHER PERSON'S WORD ON A CRIME OCCURRING, I CONTINUED SURVEILLANCE. THE SUSPECT WALKED BACK INTO A "DEAD ZONE"(A PLACE WHERE THERE ARE NO CAMERAS). HE WAS LOOKING AROUND SUSPICIOUSLY AND THEN HE DUCKED INTO A CORNER (POSSIBLY CONCEALING MORE MERCHANDISE). I IMMEDIATELY WALKED ON THE SALES FLOOR. I SPOTTED THE SUSPECT HEADING FOR THE DOORS. I STARTED A BRISK WALK RIGHT BEHIND HIM AND I MADE STATIC NOISE WITH MY WALKIE TALKIE. THE SUSPECT TURNED AROUND AND LOOKED AT ME. HE WALKED BACK INTO THE STORE. I FOLLOWED HIM REAL CLOSE AND HE WALKED FASTER TRYING TO LOSE ME. HE WENT INTO THE MEN'S DEPARTMENT AND SAW THAT I WAS STILL ON HIS TAIL. HE LOOKED AT ME AGAIN AND THEN THREW THE BAG DOWN. HE QUICKLY EXITED THE STORE. THE BAG CONTAINED SEVERAL PAIRS OF BEACH SHOES AS WELL AS SOME JEWELRY.

DESTINATION???
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