Current Events > Can a store charge you for shoplifting for not paying 5 cents for a bag?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I think they could, but did they ever go through with it? It's hilarious to imagine a cop getting called, or a security guard getting called in for shoplifting, and when they get there they find out someone didn't pay 15 cents for 3 paper bags. Would they charge the store for wasting their time, or take the suspect to jail?

Yes, there is asset protection spiteful enough to do it. Or to make a point to a serial repeater.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/8/8ba6004d.jpg

Shoplifting is so bad the grocery store I work at has literally contracted the local sheriffs department to have them come and deter people with his presence and also serve no trespasses and arrest as the need arises. He stands at the entrance, for 4 hours 6 days a week. It's crazy times when cops are working for the grocery stores.

Gotta protect the assets, man.

LincolnDuncan posted...

Shoplifting is so bad the grocery store I work at has literally contracted the local sheriffs department to have them come and deter people with his presence and also serve no trespasses and arrest as the need arises. He stands at the entrance, for 4 hours 6 days a week. It's crazy times when cops are working for the grocery stores.

Gotta protect the assets, man.

Nothing crazy when most cops jist exist to protect capital.
This is just you seeing through the veil. Why does a corporation get to monopolize their time? Isn't their murders to solve or domestic disputes?

LincolnDuncan posted...

Shoplifting is so bad the grocery store I work at has literally contracted the local sheriffs department to have them come and deter people with his presence

Grocery stores have always done this where I live. It's a good way to earn a little side income. I even remember my dad being a Publix cop when I was a kid

WingsOfGood posted...

Nothing crazy when most cops jist exist to protect capital.
This is just you seeing through the veil. Why does a corporation get to monopolize their time? Isn't their murders to solve or domestic disputes?

Ranch dressing > Human life I guess.

DipDipDiver posted...

Grocery stores have always done this where I live. It's a good way to earn a little side income. I even remember my dad being a Publix cop when I was a kid

A cop working as a security guard isn't a cop at that time.

The poster is talking about fully uniformed cops.

Those bags probably have one of the highest Profit margins in the store.
I was going to do the math on that at one point, based on just amazon prices.
It's kind of fucked the even ask for it, it should be the price of doing business.

Imagine getting shot by some dipshit cop over a 5 cent bag

They could, but the charges would essentially amount to the minerest of slaps on the wrist, so it's probably not something they'd actually pursue.

in my town. bags are optional unless bring own. just have to carry what is bought or put in cart on way out to put in car

not really worth the stealing, get banned from the store for a year.

Revelation34 posted...

A cop working as a security guard isn't a cop at that time.

The poster is talking about fully uniformed cops.

The cops at our grocery stores have always been in full uniform. Off duty cops wearing their uniform while working security is pretty normal

DipDipDiver posted...

The cops at our grocery stores have always been in full uniform. Off duty cops wearing their uniform while working security is pretty normal

He's not off duty. This is his official police duty for those hours.

I read a story about a guy who worked at Subway inside a Wal-Mart. A guy came up and asked for a plastic bag. Subway worker gives a bag to guy. The guy uses bag in attempt to conceal Wal-Mart merch and gets caught shoplifting. Subway worker is also arrested too for Complicity to Theft for giving the criminal a bag. Subway worker loses job, goes on probation for 2 years with fines and mandatory minimum restitution. Restitution for that plastic bag was $500-ish dollars.

ExtremeLuchador posted...

Subway worker loses job

wish they got a warning at best. then again corporate/manager decides our fate from day 1.

LincolnDuncan posted...

He's not off duty. This is his official police duty for those hours.

Oh ok, your use of the word "contracted" made it sound like they were being paid by the store. A private business doesn't generally contract local law enforcement to do their official duty.

ExtremeLuchador posted...

I read a story about a guy who worked at Subway inside a Wal-Mart. A guy came up and asked for a plastic bag. Subway worker gives a bag to guy. The guy uses bag in attempt to conceal Wal-Mart merch and gets caught shoplifting. Subway worker is also arrested too for Complicity to Theft for giving the criminal a bag. Subway worker loses job, goes on probation for 2 years with fines and mandatory minimum restitution. Restitution for that plastic bag was $500-ish dollars.

I can't find anything about this.

DipDipDiver posted...

Oh ok, your use of the word "contracted" made it sound like they were being paid by the store. A private business doesn't generally contract local law enforcement to do their official duty.

They're being paid by the store. It is totally unusual which is why I said it was crazy. My store is paying the local sheriff's department a lot of money to stand guard instead of do other things. This is not a sheriff getting extra hours or anything on the side.

That sounds incredibly unlikely but ok

DipDipDiver posted...

That sounds incredibly unlikely but ok

Well, don't know what to tell you.

Revelation34 posted...

A cop working as a security guard isn't a cop at that time.

The poster is talking about fully uniformed cops.

In my city, off-duty police working as security guards are explicitly allowed to wear their uniforms. So, it varies from place to place.