Title: How to Legally Detain a Shoplifter: 8 Steps (with Pictures)
Headings: How to Legally Detain a Shoplifter
How to Legally Detain a Shoplifter
Part 1
of 2:
Spotting a Shoplifter Download Article
PRO
Part 2
of 2:
Detaining a Shoplifter Download Article
PRO
Community Q&A
Tips
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References
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Content: Spot a potential shoplifter with the following signs: Suspect is looking around them to see what other customers or store employees are doing, suspect is wearing clothing that is clearly too big or loose or clothing that is not in tune with the season (big winter coats in summer), suspect is removing tags from merchandise, suspect is carrying a large bag. etc. There are some benefits to using a security camera. Not only do you watch the shoplifter via an obstructed view and you watch their attempted crime (it's not a crime until they try to leave without paying) from beginning to end, you also have the entire incident on videotape. They are very similar to a dash cam in a police car. If you have it on tape, there is little the shoplifter can do to dispute the crime they committed. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Legally-Detain-a-Shoplifter-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Legally-Detain-a-Shoplifter-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Legally-Detain-a-Shoplifter-Step-2.jpg\/aid1355023-v4-728px-Legally-Detain-a-Shoplifter-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
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Watch the suspect constantly. Once you start to suspect that a customer may be about to shoplift, it is essential that you keep a watchful eye on them at all times, even if you have to follow them around the store.