Published on http://www.aggietownsquare.com on September 30, 2009
A 21-year-old man from Detroit, Mich., approached two police officers who were showing their felon-location equipment to children. When the man asked how it worked, the officer asked for identification and the man gave him his drivers license. The officer entered the license into the computer and moments later the man was arrested because the location equipment identified the man as wanted for an armed robbery in Missouri (http://www.funlol.com/659/Top_10_Dumb_Criminals).
And my favorite dumb criminal story? In Seattle, Wash., a man trying to siphon gasoline out of a motorhome ended up with a whole lot of crap instead (literally). Instead of plugging the hose into the gasoline tank, he hooked it up to the sewage tank. The police found the man ill, curled up next to the motor home and spilled sewage. The owner of the motorhome didn't press charges, saying it was the best laugh he'd ever had (http://www.jnweb.com/funny/criminals.html).
True or not, who cares. These stories gave me quite a laugh. Although they're not a great transition or introduction, this week we're all about retail theft (which is certainly related to criminal behavior) and whether or not it has been on the rise as the economy has downturned, particularly over the past two years.
According to an article in The Salt Lake Tribune ("Economy chief suspect in spread of shoplifting") in June, a survey of America's largest retailers reports 61 percent are seeing an increase in amateur shoplifting. The Tribune article specifically examined retail theft in St. George, Taylorsville and West Valley City over the past eight years. The results are actually quite telling: in 2007, St. George, Taylorsville and West Valley City saw 331, 595 and 1,231 shoplifting arrests, respectively. However, in 2008, they saw a jump to 403, 683 and 1,495; nearly a 16 percent average increase in retail theft in each city.
The article points out an interesting trend in the increase of theft: instead of stealing larger, more expensive items that could resell for a high price, people are stealing the necessities like food, clothes and toiletries. Although police say few of the thieves caught will tell that the loss of a job or financial troubles led to shoplifting. Lt. Mark Brklacich with the St. George Police wonders if those accused are simply embarrassed. Another interesting trend is that those shoplifting may not be in great need but may have impulses to steal because of anxiety about the economy. Although this isn't proven, Catherine Cleveland, a lawyer in Salt Lake who represents defendants accused of shoplifting, said most of her clients are moms between the ages of 30 and 50 who steal things on impulse, perhaps due to stress from the economy.
But what about Logan? According to the CQ Press 2008-2009 City Crime Rankings, Logan is at the top of the list for lowest crime rate among U.S. Metropolitan areas (http://os.cqpress.com/citycrime/CQPress_CityCrime2008_PressRelease.pdf). Could retail shoplifting in Logan be affected by the economy? Certainly.
Lt. Rod Peterson, who has worked for the Logan City Police Department for 21 years, said from September 2007-2009 there were 420 arrests for shoplifting. From September 2005-2007 there were 333 arrests -- so about 110 less two years ago. When asked if that was directly related to the economy, Peterson said police didn't know for sure but that one might think it could be economy driven. However, Peterson did mention more and more retail stores in Logan have been cracking down on retail theft over the past few years, which also may contribute to the higher numbers.
"More and more retail stores are focusing on (retail theft), and they are taking more of a zero tolerance for the offense and it certainly increases the odds of getting caught," Peterson said. "I believe they're starting to pay more attention to it than in the past and that could be another thing."
What about punishments for shoplifting in Logan? Peterson said it's up to the judge and depends on the circumstances. If the person has had multiple offenses the punishment will be more severe. However, Peterson said he warns of the punishments of shoplifting beyond what the judge can give.
"(Having retail theft on your record) can make it difficult to get a job. When people run your criminal history and see that you've been arrested for shoplifting or any other theft it can make it difficult for you to secure employment in some places," he said.
Interestingly enough, Logan's Shopko was number one on the list of the most retail theft arrests, with Smith's Food King coming in second for the past four years.
And if you witness retail theft? Peterson said to contact the nearest clerk immediately.
-karlie.brand@aggiemail.usu.edu
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