Title: Shoplifting - Wikipedia
Headings: Shoplifting
Shoplifting
Contents
Definition
Types of individuals
Amateurs
Career criminals
Legal definitions
Common items
Economist perspectives
Methods
Concealing
Walkout/pushout
History
Motivations
Differences by geography
Economic impact and response from shops
Consequences
United States
United Kingdom
Middle East
Prevention
Closed-circuit television
Electronic article surveillance
Staff roles
Exit inspections
Display cases
Retail bag check exit policy
Notable cases
See also
References
Further reading
Books
Articles

Content: Most retailers are aware of the serious consequences of making a false arrest, and will only attempt to apprehend a person if their guilt is beyond a reasonable doubt. Depending on local laws, arrests made by anyone other than law enforcement officers may also be illegal. Types of individuals
Amateurs
Some shoplifters are amateurs who do not steal regularly from stores and who do not use shoplifting as a form of income (e.g., by reselling stolen goods). Researchers call these amateurs "snitches", as they are stealing items for their personal use. In several countries, criminal flash mobs, primarily made up of teenagers and young adults, enter stores with the intention of stealing merchandise while accomplices distract staff. Career criminals
However, there are people and groups who make their living from shoplifting and other crimes. They tend to be more skilled career criminals who use more sophisticated shoplifting tactics. Researchers call professional thieves "boosters", as they tend to resell what they steal on the black market . Legal definitions
Shoplifting is considered a form of theft and is subject to prosecution. In the United Kingdom, theft is defined as "dishonestly appropriate [ing] property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it;