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I know it could be risky but how many of you here apprehended shoplifters on criteria other than the standard five step protocol?
Not working too much retail @ the moment but when I was, strictly abiding by the 'five steps' made it nearly impossible to catch/apprehend thieves. Especially so being in uniform.
Example 1: Subject seen exiting with OBVIOUS bulges in his clothing @ the beginning of my shift. I wasn't even aware of his presence in the store until then. I approach to question him as he's walking out; he denies taking anything and begins to flee. I grab him by the jacket to try to bring him back into the store but then simply decide to rip off his t-shirt, which results in about 40$ or so of merchandise falling out. He was a filthy-looking bum so instead of tangling with him, I just let him walk away shirtless.
Example 2: At the end of my shift this time, a female subject with a purse set off the EAS sensor. I follow her out of the store & ask what it could possibly be. She says 'my cell phone.' I politely ask to look in her purse. She says she'd rather not let me. I then force her purse open, causing her to claw her nails in2 my knuckles, and inside was steaks, pizzas, & salt shakers totaling about 30$. She kept fighting which resulted in her being taken to the ground, handcuffed & hit with robbery charges as well. The kicker: a friend was with her, whom she was telling to 'call the police.'
These 2 I caught individually, but I have countless other examples where I assisted store managers in apprehensions without either one of us giving a second thought to any 'five steps.'
I know I'll get flak 4 this but what's everybody's thoughts? Any similar experiences to share?
Not working too much retail @ the moment but when I was, strictly abiding by the 'five steps' made it nearly impossible to catch/apprehend thieves. Especially so being in uniform.
Example 1: Subject seen exiting with OBVIOUS bulges in his clothing @ the beginning of my shift. I wasn't even aware of his presence in the store until then. I approach to question him as he's walking out; he denies taking anything and begins to flee. I grab him by the jacket to try to bring him back into the store but then simply decide to rip off his t-shirt, which results in about 40$ or so of merchandise falling out. He was a filthy-looking bum so instead of tangling with him, I just let him walk away shirtless.
Example 2: At the end of my shift this time, a female subject with a purse set off the EAS sensor. I follow her out of the store & ask what it could possibly be. She says 'my cell phone.' I politely ask to look in her purse. She says she'd rather not let me. I then force her purse open, causing her to claw her nails in2 my knuckles, and inside was steaks, pizzas, & salt shakers totaling about 30$. She kept fighting which resulted in her being taken to the ground, handcuffed & hit with robbery charges as well. The kicker: a friend was with her, whom she was telling to 'call the police.'
These 2 I caught individually, but I have countless other examples where I assisted store managers in apprehensions without either one of us giving a second thought to any 'five steps.'
I know I'll get flak 4 this but what's everybody's thoughts? Any similar experiences to share?
, even gym, etc. Bonus, instead of harried store manager, my clients were world class scientists, and super cool. Place had about $60K sound system that (of course) I was given WiFi access to use.
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