Modus Operandi by Mauro Corvasce (universal ebook reader txt) 📕

2. While shoplifter #1 is in the vicinity of the Flowbees, shoplifter #2 will create a diversion several aisles away.

3. There are so many diversions to choose from! Shoplifter #2 may shriek and fake a heart attack, so personnel from the store and other shoppers rush to her aid. She may accidentally knock over a large display, and again personnel from the store and other people will come to see what exactly happened. Or, believe it or not, shoplifter #2 may report to store personnel that she has located a shoplifter in an aisle very far away from shoplifter #1.

But remember that shoplifters #1 and #2 already know what the diversion is going to be, when it will occur and their cues. So let's say that shoplifter #2 has decided to knock over a large display of Captain Crunch, in aisle three, while the Flowbees are located in aisle six. As shoplifter #2 knocks this over, many people rush to see what happened. Shoplifter #1 quickly loads as many Flowbees into the shopping bag as possible and exits the store.

4. There is absolutely no reason why shoplifters #1 and #2 must leave the store together. So once shoplifter #1 is out of the store, and shoplifter #2 can't be charged with any crime, she can stay in the store as long as she wants. What usually happens is that shoplifter #2 stays in the store for a little while and scopes another item to be stolen. Of course, the next time the shoplifting team enters this particular store, they will try another diversionary tactic. They will also switch roles in the next shoplifting.

Nonstop Shop

Shoplifting teams simply walk up and down the aisles with large bags. They know where the security cameras are located from prior visits. They make sure that when they pick up the item with one hand it is quickly placed into the bag in front of them while the camera is behind them. You must see it to believe it. Many shoplifters will pick up an item from a shelf without breaking stride, place it in their bag, and keep walking around the aisles. Keep in mind that this is done while the shoplifter is walking quickly. They don't stop in the aisle or pick up the merchandise to look it over.

The quick pace prevents the security camera from picking up what has transpired, as many of the cameras have only black and white film of poor quality. Additionally, the shoplifters are relying on people to monitor these cameras in the store, and quite honestly, many security or clerical personnel do not monitor them. The cameras are hooked up to a VCR with a time lapse, which takes three to four second recordings from each camera in a zone.

The Drop-Off

Shoplifter #1 will be standing in a certain area, which is not in the area where the items will be stolen. Shoplifter #1 will be poised, however, looking at an item on a shelf and will have a large bag, somewhat open so that items can be easily placed into it, sitting on the floor. Shoplifter #2, who entered the store separately, will walk around the store and select the item that they both wish to steal. Shoplifter #2 walks around the store until he or she walks right behind shoplifter #1, and without breaking stride, drops that item into shoplifter #l's bag. This can be accomplished several different times at different locations in the store, because as long as shoplifter #1 and shoplifter #2 are not in the same location for any long period of time, they will not be suspected of being together.

The Junkie Drug Addict Shoplifter

The junkie drug addict shoplifter steals to support his drug habit. Junkies often work in pairs and sometimes in groups of three or four. A known shoplifting offender will appear in a store hoping to draw attention to himself, while his partner, who is probably not known to the police or store personnel, will actually make the lift. Once back on the street, they split the take after selling the items.

The shoplifting drug addict is very particular about what he or she steals. He knows that it is to his benefit to take items that have a very high resale value on the street. Each addict usually has his own specialty. In this way he becomes known to fences as the person to contact when a certain type of item is desired. Shirts and bras especially, but almost any article of clothing, are favorite items with junkies.

A very real and dangerous situation exists whenever a shoplifting junkie enters a store to steal. He may be so desperate for his next fix, and the need may make him so oblivious, that he may act rashly and with total disregard for other people's safety. The existence of the junkie shoplifter is one reason why all store personnel are warned to be extremely cautious in stopping shoplifters. If the shoplifter shows any sign of panic or of harming anybody, retail security people usually will be very happy with identifying the person and letting the police do the rest.

The Shoplifter Who Doesn't Shoplift

There he is, walking down the aisle. He's in the perfect location: A crowded large retail store in a crowded urban city. There he goes, turning down the aisle where all the electronic accessories are sold. He looks at a pair of small headphones that can easily be attached to a portable CD player. He looks at them, looks around, brazenly puts them underneath his jacket, and zips it up. He doesn't seem to care if somebody sees him as he walks down the aisle and turns the corner and heads right for the door! But just before he gets to the door, he takes the headphones from underneath his jacket and throws them under one of those large Rubbermaid recyclable trash cans on the bottom shelf of the rack. Why did he do this? Because he thought at the